Following the recent several breakdowns of the trains on the Abuja-Kaduna train service, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has apologised to Nigerians and ordered the Chinese contractor, CCECC, to fix or replace the locomotives.
Recall that the new locomotives were recently procured from China by the federal government to boost train services on the Abuja-Kaduna train service to address the rising number of passengers on the service.
But less than five months after the new locomotives were deployed, they have broken down several times, leaving passengers stranded.
Speaking to the development, the minister said the situation was embarrassing and he apologised to Nigerians. He said he has directed the contractors, CCECC, to fix the locomotives or replace them as the locomotives are still under warranty.
“I would like to apologise to Nigerians over what’s happening at Abuja to Kaduna line. It’s worrisome in the sense that they are brand new locomotives. We may be forced to bring back our old locomotives if the breakdown priests.
“The locomotives are under warranty. We have called the Chinese to come back for the locomotives that are bad. We have told NRC to either fix them or get the Chinese to fix them. And if that is happening, then they should bring back the old locomotives,” he said.
The minister however noted that if the new locomotives are recalled, it would affect the train frequency.
