Senate Launches Probe Into Failing Nigerian Rail Network Amid Efficiency Crisis
The Senate inaugurated an ad-hoc committee on Thursday to scrutinize contracts and execution of railway projects nationwide, responding to mounting worries about the declining performance on major routes.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) invoked Order 42 to spotlight the “tragic situation” on the Kano–Kaduna rail line, noting that train services had plummeted to just one trip per day, with cargo travel times stretching from about 1 hour 30 minutes to nearly three hours.
Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) attributed the reduced trips partly to severe damage from bandit attacks on rail infrastructure.
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He said the situation warranted a comprehensive legislative investigation into how railway contracts were awarded and implemented.
The investigation , he noted is expected to cover project design, funding, execution standards and maintenance structures.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio rejected funding shortages as the primary culprit, instead pointing to outdated and substandard rail sections as the root problem, which demands a full legislative probe into contract awards and implementation.
The inquiry will examine project design, funding, execution standards, and maintenance frameworks.