The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport, yesterday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, to appear before it over the recent Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that endangered 618 passengers.

The lawmakers, who described the minister as incompetent and unfit for the job, expressed outrage after he failed to attend the committee’s investigative hearing on the incident.

Chairperson of the committee, Blessing Onuh, said Alkali’s absence was an insult to Nigerians at a time they needed answers.

She said: “There is the saying that a toad does not run in the daytime 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 at this meeting. Here we are, and the minister is not here.”

Onuh continued: “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.”

House’s Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, was blunter, declaring that the minister’s absence was proof of incompetence and disregard for the Nigerian people.

He said: “This action clearly shows he is not competent to handle the job entrusted to him by the President. It is a dangerous signal that he does not care about the lives of Nigerians or the reputation of this government.

“The President has warned that no minister or agency head should ignore parliament. This minister has chosen contempt. If he fails to show up, Nigerians should know there is effectively no Minister of Transportation in this country.

“I remember the President telling us that he is not ready to tolerate any minister or head of agency who 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.”

Another member, Cyril Hart, lamented that Alkali, a former parliamentarian, chose to dishonour the legislative chamber.

“Over 618 Nigerians could have died. This raises serious questions about the integrity of our rail infrastructure. For a former lawmaker to shun this committee when Nigerians needed answers is a betrayal. Even the Railway MD has a history of trying to join this parliament, so he knows the respect due to it. We cannot allow anyone to toy with the lives of our people,” he stated.

The committee unanimously resolved to suspend its hearing until the minister appears in person, warning that continued disregard would be reported directly to the President.