Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment: House Summons Transport Minister

Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, to appear before it over the recent derailment of an Abuja–Kaduna bound train carrying about 618 passengers.

The committee, in a resolution, described the minister’s absence at Tuesday’s investigative hearing on the incident as a “total disregard of the Nigerian people.” 

Chairman of the Committee Blessing Onuh and other members noted that the minister’s action after due invitation was unacceptable, and a betrayal of the Nigerian people, maintaining that he must appear to explain the circumstances behind the incident, which put the lives of many Nigerians in danger

The Committee Chairperson, Blessing Onuh, said it was unacceptable for the minister to “turn his back on Nigerians at a time they need him most.

“A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. We are on recess, but many of us chose to cut our breaks and come all the way from Lagos due to this national tragedy.

“Only for the minister to snub the parliament. We take strong exceptions to this. Our brothers and sisters were endangered. This is not a joke.

“We are therefore suspending this meeting and mandating the Minister to appear in person within 48 hours,” she said.

The Deputy Spokesman of the House, Rep. Philip Agbese, described the minister’s absence as a demonstration of incompetence and disregard for the Nigerian people.

“This action clearly shows he is not competent to handle the job entrusted to him by the President.

“It is a dangerous signal that he does not care about the lives of Nigerians or the reputation of this government.

The lawmakers unanimously resolved to suspend the investigative hearing until the Minister appeared in person, warning that continued disregard for the committee would be reported directly to the President.