The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has revealed the real cause last week’s train accident at PWD Rail Crossing in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Explaining more in an interview, the corporation’s Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria said “The accident happened as a result of human neglect on the side of the bus driver.”
Recall that survivors who are real eyewitnesses had disclosed that as at the time of the accident, the driver’s earpiece was on his ears blistering with music to the point of the crash.
NRC boss noted that “Lagosians will recollect that at a time, we had mechanical barriers; we had bars crossing the road whenever train was coming. But they were vandalised. We tried to go modern by providing light alarm signaling, but that did not also last. They vandalised that one too.
“Since the modernisation of the rail tracks, which is government’s policy to completely separate the rail from the road, we decided to deploy men physically to stop train or vehicles when a train is approaching.
“When the train leaves any station and it approaches any level-crossing, they will inform the level-crossing keeper. From there on, they will start clearing the rail so that there won’t be any obstruction.
“I think on Thursday, the level-crossing keeper had stopped the vehicles, but the bus driver thought he was clever enough. He overtook those who had stopped. Unfortunately, the accident occurred. I think Nigerians should change their ways and support government to make progress.”
Suggesting how to forestall a future occurrence, Okhiria said: “We will continue to enlighten the people, in partnership with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
“The drivers will be enlightened and Nigerians should also realise that these things cost money. If we discipline ourselves and have a little patience, things will go on well.
“The government is making efforts to build some flyovers and underpasses, but we cannot do it at the same time because it will make the traffic situation in Lagos to be terrible.
“We will enlighten the road users and caution train drivers to go beyond the regulation by applying extra caution at level-crossing. What happened on Thursday would have been more disastrous if the driver was not cautious. I think the speed of the train was 12 kilometres per hour. If not, he would not have been able to stop where he did.”
