Govt to sanction offenders of illegal rail crossing

FOLLOWING last Monday's rail accident at Kakau village, Kaduna state,
transport minister, Senator Idris Umar has said that the ministry has
concluded plans to probe illegal rail crossing with a view to
sanctioning offenders.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, Senator Umar stated that
after the probe, the ministry will also proffer lasting solutions to
the issue of illegal rail crossing.
Umar also disclosed that both the driver and owner of the truck have
been arrested, adding that they are currently undergoing
interrogation.
Expressing regrets of the accident, Umar explained that the
accident was avoidable but for the recklessness of the truck driver
who tried to cross the rail track to drop sewage and got stuck in
the process.
He assured Nigerians that by Monday, Rail services will commence as
efforts are being made to remove the derailed locomotive and
thereafter relay the tracks
Also speaking at the scene of the accident, the Managing .Director
of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) Engr. Seyi Sijuwade stated
that plans are also under way to sensitise and announce to Nigerians
the return of the rail transport.
He explained that jingles produced in local dialects will be
relayed on local and national radio.
Recall that a Kaduna bound passengertrain from Lagos derailed at
Kakau village in Kuduna when a sewage truckthat tried to cross the
rail track got stock and caused an accident.
Although, no death was recorded but a good number of people were
injured and the Minster of Transport Senator Idris Umar has promised
to defray the hospital bills of the affected passengers.