The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has sympathized with the families of the victims of an accident involving its train and a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) conveying civil servants to work on Thursday.
The NRC expressed its sympathy in a statement signed its Deputy Director of Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, and cautioned motorists and the general public on observing railway signs.
So far, the unfortunate crash which occurred at the PWD bus stop in the Ikeja area of the state, has claimed at least six lives with over 80 others receiving treatment in different hospitals in the state.
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To prevent future occurrence, the NRC said it had put in place level crossing control and management procedures necessary for preventing accidents by deploying mechanisms and Level Crossing Staff that work at the level crossing across the country to prevent accidents.
It also appealed to the public to ensure restrain and strictly observe caution signs and instruction from officials when approaching railway level crossing and completely stop their vehicles when directed to do so by the Level Crossing Keeper and officials to ensure seamless movement of trains and safe crossing of motorist as well as pedestrians.
The NRC noted that all level crossing are manned 24 hours, assuring its management will not relent in it’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of advising drivers and pedestrians to always comply strictly to instructions given by the railway staff at level crossing.
It promised to continue to collaborate with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Traffic Management Agencies such as Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASMA), etc, to ensure the prevention of incidents of vehicles colliding with moving train.
See the full statement below:
In the early hours of today (Thursday), the Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), received a sad and unfortunate report of a bus with passengers on board, that collided with our Mass Transit passengers Train (MTT), coming from Ijoko (Ogun State) to Iddo (Lagos State) Railway Station at Shogunle Level Crossing Ikeja.
Thought the number of casualties have not been confirmed as they have all been taken to the hospital for medical attention as at the time of compiling this press release. We compassionately sympathize with the families of the victims.
The general public may wish to note that NRC has put in place level crossing control and management procedures necessary for preventing accidents by deploying mechanisms and Level Crossing Staff that work at the level crossing across the country to prevent accidents.The Corporation is and will continue to appeal to all and sundry to PLEASE ensure restrain and strictly observe caution signs and instruction from officials when approaching railway level crossing and completely STOP their vehicles when directed to do so by the Level Crossing Keeper and officials to ensure seamless movement of trains and safe crossing of motorist as well as pedestrians.
We must also be aware that Railway has the Right of Way in any city that has the benefits of train services, hence, Railway track must be kept free from walking and trading at all times.
All level crossing are man 24 hours and the Management of the NRC will not relent in it’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of advising drivers and pedestrians to always comply strictly to instructions given by the railway staff at level crossing.
Meanwhile, we will continue to collaborate with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Traffic Management Agencies such as Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASMA), etc, to ensure the prevention of incidents of vehicles colliding with moving train.
