- Dafinone described the incidents as a national embarrassment
- He further called for a Senate oversight visit to affected areas
- the investigation was “necessary to protect lives
The Nigerian Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all railway projects executed under former President Muhammadu Buhari, focusing on project financing, construction quality, supervision, and maintenance practices.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the resolution followed growing concerns over frequent derailments, vandalism, and recurring technical issues along the Itakpe–Warri rail corridor.
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Raising a motion on the Senate floor, Senator Ede Dafinone expressed alarm over the “persistent technical failures” plaguing the Warri–Itakpe standard gauge line, which has reportedly suffered over ten derailments and multiple service disruptions between 2023 and 2025.
Dafinone described the incidents as a national embarrassment, warning that they jeopardize passengers’ safety and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s rail transport system.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to conduct an independent assessment of the corridor to uncover the causes and implement urgent corrective measures.
He further called for a Senate oversight visit to affected areas, especially the Agbor section in Delta State, and recommended the creation of a National Rail Safety and Standards Unit to enforce compliance with international safety norms.
Supporting the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi blamed the recurring breakdowns on poor management, insisting that those responsible must be held accountable for the billions of dollars borrowed to fund the projects.
Similarly, Senator Patrick Ndubueze demanded a total restructuring of the NRC, citing inefficiency and poor service delivery, while Senator Solomon Adeola pressed for a detailed audit to determine the amount borrowed, how it was spent, and whether due process was followed.
After extensive deliberation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the motion, emphasizing that the investigation was “necessary to protect lives and safeguard national investments.”
The Senate subsequently directed the Transportation Ministry and the NRC to repair the Itakpe–Warri line, improve safety measures, and enhance service reliability.
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