The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has given the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, 48 hours to appear before it over the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment.
Committee Chairperson, Rep. Blessing Onuh (APC–Benue), issued the ultimatum during an investigative hearing in Abuja on Tuesday.
The derailment occurred on 26 August at 11:09 a.m. between Kubwa and Asham stations, endangering passengers on board.
Also summoned are the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, and the Managing Director of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd., Guan Shuai.
Onuh explained that the ultimatum followed the minister’s failure to honour earlier invitations to account for the incident.
She condemned his absence, remarking that it was unacceptable for the minister to “turn his back on Nigerians at a time they needed him most.”
She added, “A toad does not run in the daytime for nothing. We are on recess, but many cut their break and travelled from Lagos over this tragedy. Only for the minister to snub parliament. We strongly object. Our people were endangered. This is not a joke. He must appear within 48 hours.”
Onuh said the committee was determined to establish not only the immediate cause of the derailment but also its root causes, to forestall future occurrences.
Rep. Cyril Hart (PDP–Rivers) also condemned the minister’s absence, stressing that Alkali, as a former lawmaker, should not be seen to dishonour the House.
“Over 618 Nigerians could have died. This raises grave questions about the safety of our rail system. For a former lawmaker to shun this committee when Nigerians need answers is betrayal. We cannot allow anyone to toy with lives,” Hart said.
(NAN)