The Federal Government has defended its move to unbundle the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), saying it will improve service efficiency and effectiveness.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, made the statement when members of the NRC Governing Board paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
“The NRC cannot be the owner, operator and regulator at the same time,” he said.
“The private sector is the engine of growth. Let someone else operate your lines efficiently. We cannot have an Agency that is Owner, Regulator and Operator at the same time,” the minister said.
On resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna train services, he said that commercial operations would resume after security measures were installed to forestall re-occurrence of train attacks in the country.
“We are looking at how the rail lines can be safe by putting 24 hours surveillance and immediate response apparatus.
“The security measures will include short and long term plans, with the short term plans taking effect from November.
“In addition to the security measures promised Nigerians that rail services will become operational only when those kidnapped in the Abuja-Kaduna train service regained their freedom and are reunited with their families.
“I’ve told Nigerians that I will not run the services until every captive is released.
“We are lucky today, they are all released and reunited with their families. We are also lucky that all of them are back alive and were all given proper medical care,” the minister added.