Reps give minister 2 days ultimatum to appear over Kaduna train derailment

The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has given the Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, 48 hours to appear before it and explain the circumstances surrounding the recent derailment of a Kaduna-bound train carrying about 618 passengers.

The committee expressed displeasure over the minister’s absence at its investigative hearing on the incident.

Chairman of the committee, Blessing Onuh, said members were shocked that the minister chose to ignore the parliament at a time Nigerians deserved answers.

Quoting a proverb, she said, “There is the saying that a toad does not run in the day time for nothing. You all know that we are on break. It is because of this issue that some of us came from Lagos just to be in this meeting. Here we are, and the Minister is not here.”

“We seriously frown at this because it is one issue that we must take seriously. We are here to investigate the recent rail derailment and the Minister is not here. This is a serious issue because our brothers and sisters were affected. We will discontinue the meeting and invite the minister to appear in person within 48 hours.

“I am surprised that the Minister is not here considering the magnitude of what we have before us. It is shocking. Since the MD of Nigeria Railways is here, I want to appeal to us to hear him out”.