The Senate has appealed to the Federal Government to increase the number of coaches to the Abuja-Kaduna rail line for effective and safe transportation system on the highway.
This, however, followed a motion sponsored by lawmaker representing Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume, on the ‘Urgent need to increase the number of Couches to the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line’ during the plenary session on Wednesday.
The lawmaker narrated his personal experience on the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line where he was made to stand throughout the trip.
The upper chamber condemned the rate of kidnapping and extrajudicial killings on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, noting with concern the undue pressure on existing facilities on the railway.
It equally lamented the high rate at which most passengers have turned to the railway as a safer means of transportation in the country.
Also speaking on the development, lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, identified the need for patronising local manufacturers by the Federal Government to purchase couches to further strengthen the rail system.
According to him, “Rail line is the oxygen and lifeline for the people plying the Abuja-Kaduna route, I think it is time to patronise our local manufacturers for couches.”
Sani, however, added that the motion should be immediately forwarded to the Executive for fast implementation to disband ticket racketeering.
Contributing, lawmaker representing Kebbi South, Senator Ibn Na’Allah harped on the need to increase the number of couches to ease the stress on Nigerians traveling by rail.
According to Senator James Manager, who represents Delta South, “Kaduna is the most dangerous road in Nigeria today. The Chairman Senate Committee on railway and land transport should proffer a quick solution.”
Senator Magnus Abe of Rivers South East also urged the FG to study the rail structure in relative to the cost to determine if the clamour for a price reduction from N1,500 to N600 is realistic.
Senator Joshua Lidani of Gombe South also called for an Increase in the number of couches and frequency of trips along the highway.
