From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) to publicly apologise and compensate the family of late Ms. Selimot Idowu Suleman who was crushed by a train recently, in Abuja.
The NLC, which blamed the incident on negligence on the part of the NRC, also demanded full cooperation on the investigation of the public safety issues that led to the victim’s death, immediate construction of a suitable Overhead Bridge at the accident location and immediate mapping of rail tracks in the FCT and throughout the country to identify locations vulnerable to public encroachment.
It also requested the installation of safety devices and infrastructure, especially overhead bridges at such locations.
The Congress made its demands known in a letter dated December 20, signed by its President, Ayuba Wabba, and addressed to the Minister of Transport Ministry and the Managing Director of the NRC.
“The unfortunate and tragic incident occurred largely because of sheer negligence on the part of the Nigeria Railways Corporation to put in place safety measures, including fill up of the tracks and infrastructure around the rail tracks used by its trains, especially the ones that transverse large human settlements and communities.
“The tragic death of Ms. Selimota Idowu Suleman, 45 years, mother of three, who, until her death was a Principal Accountant with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and a member of one of NLC’s affiliate trade unions – Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union (RATTAWU), is most reprehensible as it could have been avoided. Her community, the Chikakore (Byazhin) Kuwba Layout Landlords Association in Kubwa III, FCT, had petitioned severally demanding that rail track safety measures be put in place in their community. This was as far back as 2016 long before the tragic death of Ms. Suleiman.
“One of their letters dated 26th March, 2016, which was brought to the attention of the Director, Rails, Federal Ministry of Transport, requested that the ministry construct an overhead bridge on the rail crossing at the Chikakore community.
The letters stated that the community was densely populated with residential buildings, schools, worship places, a market and other public facilities. Sadly, all the letters written never received any significant response or action from the Ministry of Transport.”
