The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali has faulted the structural design of Kubwa Train station, saying it does not give access to physically challenged and the elderly to use the facility.
The Senator disclosed this when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Kubwa (Abuja) Train Station, according to a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Olujimi Oyetomi, on Tuesday.
According to the minister,his visit was informed primarily by the report of vandalism of the main power supply from the national grid to the Train Station, which he received.
The power source vandalism has plunged the Kubwa Train Station into darkness and its management had to rely on alternative sources to power their operations.
Senator Alkali also sought “to see that the security and welfare of passengers are not compromised,” as he later disclosed.
The Minister expressed displeasure over the fact that many staff members were not that their duty post as at the time he visited the station.
Also , the station was almost shut down with the luggages security scanners, as well as power supply not on, when the work day was not yet ended.
Alkali thereafter proceeded to see the vandalised power installation. He was taken round by the station manager.
For the vandalised power installation, Senator Alkali urged a quick liaison by Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) and the station manager with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for a quick restoration and ensure more security for the facility.
Further inspecting more of the station’s facilities, the minister discovered that the staircase that passengers use when disembarking from trains coming inward to Kubwa, Abuja from Rigasa in Abuja, are not friendly to the physically challenged and the elderly. There is no escalator.
He, therefore directed the Director, Rail Services, to note so that the right things could be done “at the level of the Ministry, the NRC, and the contractor.”
The minister also inspected the communication rooms where he got to know that the communication equipment installed there had stopped working.
As well, one of the two installed luggage security scanners has also stopped working. The one which was working, the Minister asked, should be powered for him to observe how it works.
The Minister also directed that more attention should be given to the convenience to ensure that services to the users of the train station are top-notch.
The Minister also expressed the view that the car park at the Kubwa Train Station was poorly maintained, with flood waters adding more woes to the potholes that dotted the motor park.
In Alkali’s words, “after the inspection, we have taken note of several facilities that should serve the users of the station. We will be retreating to the office to do the needful at the level of the ministry, the Railway Corporation, and of course, the contractor, to see how we can fix” the facility.
The inspection visit of the Minister was undertaken in the company of the Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, Permanent Secretary, Adeleye Adeoye, the Director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Fimbarr Zirarr.
