President Bola Tinubu has approved the purchase of additional train coaches and security equipment to boost railway services and tackle banditry, kidnapping and vandalism.
The approval includes more coaches to increase passenger and freight capacity, and surveillance systems to secure rail infrastructure and protect passengers.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi disclosed this on Saturday during an inspection of the Kano-Maradi railway project.
He said the ministry was also training railway workers to operate and maintain the new coaches upon delivery.
Adebiyi, who was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John and other officials, also inspected the casting of a bridge beam along the corridor.
He said insecurity remains a major challenge, noting that attacks on rail infrastructure disrupt operations, endanger lives and raise maintenance costs.
He cited the Abuja-Kaduna corridor as an example of the security threats facing railway operations.
“I’m glad to inform you that Mr President has given the go-ahead for us to embark on the acquisition of surveillance security equipment all across the country, and we are working around the clock to ensure this," he said.
Banditry: Tinubu approves fresh security equipment to secure trains