Reps To Grill Minister Over Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment

The House of Representatives, through its Committee on Land Transport, is set to grill the Minister of Transportation, Said Ahmed Alkali, over the August 26, 2025 derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train.

Consequently, the Minister has been given 48 hours to appear before the House committee. The Managing Director of the
Nigeria Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, had appeared before the committee on Tuesday.

However, the lawmakers were furious that the Minister failed to honour an invitation extended to him, despite the seriousness of the derailment.

The Minister is being summoned to explain the circumstances surrounding the derailment of the train, which was carrying about 618 passengers at the time of the accident.

Chairman of the committee, Rep Blessing Onuh, expressed the committee’s displeasure at the Minister’s absence at the investigative hearing.

Stressing the importance of the investigative hearing to Nigerians, Rep Onuh said the committee members took a break from their vacation for the assignment.

“We seriously frown at this because it is one issue that we must take seriously. We are here to investigate the recent train 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”.

A member of the committee, Rep Phillip Agbese, said the minister appeared incompetent to handle the affairs of the ministry assigned to him.

Agbese suggested the the committee should prevail on the leadership of the House to report the Minister to President Bola Tinubu that appointed him.

“The action of the Minister is a clear indication that he does not care about what happened to Nigerians. I want it reported that a certain Minister of Transportation does not care about the reputation of this government.

This amounts to neglecting the Nigerian people. We are here to investigate what happened and what has been happening and the Minister is stalling the process.

“There is no doubt that the minister has deliberately refused to be part of this meeting because of the gravity his inefficiency and incompetence and the disaster he would have caused this nation. It is because of the gravity of what has happened that we are all here today. 

“The Minister has continued to treat this parliament with disdain. It is no longer time for us to allow the Minister take us for a ride. I want to move that we suspend this meeting pending when the Minister and his agencies will be able to appear before us. 

“This committee should make it clear that he is incompetent and should not continue to occupy that office. And since he does not have the competence, let that be communicated to the President. 

“I remember the President telling us that he is not ready to tolerate any Minister or head of agency that is not ready to appear before the parliament. If he fails to appear before us, let us agree with Nigerians that there is no minister in that ministry”

Also, another member of the committee, Rep Cyril Hart, expressed displeasure that the Minister who was a former parliamentarian chose to dishonour the committee. 

Hart said, “When listened to one of the submissions on the derailment, I felt like crying. Over 618 Nigerians were almost killed, which implied that perhaps, the tracks were constructed with inferior materials. 

“I listened to the fact that the Minister was once a parliamentarian and understands the function of this parliament. To stay away when Nigerians need him most is to say the least that he did not do service to Nigerians.”

Turning to the Managing Director of the Railway Corporation, Rep Hart said, “MD Railways, in 2007, you contested for the House of Representatives, but you did not succeed.

“You contested for the Senate, but you did not succeed. Which showed your desire to be in this parliament. I think that those of us who succeeded should be accorded some respect. The last time we invited you, you were just grandstanding. You must take your work seriously.”