According to Mr. Muazu Sambo, the Minister of Transportation, the Federal Government is committed to securing the release of the remaining hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train incident.
On Friday, Sambo spoke in Lagos as he inspected railroad facilities.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), President Muhammadu Buhari recently visited with the relatives of passengers who are still being held captive and gave them assurances about his commitment to securing their release.
Sambo told reporters that resuming standard gauge rail service between Abuja and Kaduna while they were still awaiting the release of the other victims would be unfair.
“We are working toward solving the insecurity challenges; the media should support government through positive reportage.
“Security issues are everybody’s responsibility. Government is looking for alternative technology that will ensure maximum security is provided to boost train passengers’ confidence all over the country.
“There is no administration in Nigeria that has invested in infrastructure like Buhari’s government,” Sambo said.
He complimented the president for increasing infrastructure spending, which had facilitated the nation’s business activity.
Sambo stated that the rail network surrounding Ijora needed to be opened up in order to connect to the Apapa port and expressed his satisfaction with the current works at the harbor and railway.
He committed to meeting with his housing and employment colleague to discuss ways to make the Ijora area motorable to connect to the port.
The minister promised employees of the Nigerian Railway Corporation a wage increase of 90% starting in 2023.
