The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued a reassuring statement addressing concerns about the safety of rail transport on the Warri-Itakpe corridor. This follows the widespread circulation of a social media message cautioning against train travel, accompanied by a video depicting removed rail clips. The NRC unequivocally dismissed the message and video as misleading and unfounded, emphasizing that the incident portrayed was swiftly addressed and posed no threat to rail operations.
According to the NRC’s acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, Mr. Callistus Unyimadu, the removed rail clips were promptly discovered during a routine inspection and immediately rectified by the dedicated maintenance team. He stressed that all necessary safety and operational protocols were meticulously followed throughout the process, ensuring the uninterrupted safety of passengers and the continued integrity of train services. Furthermore, the Warri-Itakpe train (WITS) successfully traversed the affected section without any issues, concretely demonstrating the corridor’s restored safety.
The NRC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest safety and security standards across all its operations. Mr. Unyimadu highlighted the continuous surveillance and maintenance of the NRC’s tracks and rolling stock, emphasizing the preparedness of their personnel to address any arising issues in real-time. He attributed the rapid response to the removed rail clips to this constant vigilance, demonstrating the NRC’s proactive approach to safety management.
The NRC strongly urged the public to disregard the misleading social media message and continue utilizing their train services with complete confidence. They characterized the dissemination of such misinformation as an attempt to undermine progress in the rail sector, advocating for its condemnation. The NRC reiterated the safety, reliability, and full operational status of train services on the Warri-Itakpe corridor, as well as all other NRC corridors.
To ensure passengers receive accurate information, the NRC encouraged reliance on verified NRC communication channels for official updates and travel advisories. This underscores their commitment to transparent communication and emphasizes the importance of obtaining information from credible sources to avoid unnecessary alarm. The NRC’s proactive response and detailed clarification address the circulating misinformation, reassuring the public of their commitment to safe and reliable rail transport.
In conclusion, the NRC addressed public concerns regarding the safety of the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor following the circulation of misleading information on social media. The incident, involving the temporary removal of rail clips, was promptly identified and rectified by the NRC’s maintenance team, adhering to strict safety protocols. The NRC emphasized its ongoing commitment to safety and security, urging passengers to rely on official communication channels and maintain confidence in their services. This decisive response and transparent communication aim to dispel misinformation and reassure the public of the continued safety and reliability of rail transport on the Warri-Itakpe corridor and across all other NRC networks.
