Faulty fuelling system caused Ibadan–Lagos train flop, says NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), yesterday, said the Ibadan–Lagos standard gauge train failed in transit, on Thursday, was due to a faulty fuelling system, and not insufficient fuel as earlier claimed.

NRC Spokesman, Mahmood Yakub, stated yesterday that rail workers had sourced fuel to refill the locomotive tank, thinking that the train stopped due to insufficient diesel.

“The board and management of NRC wish to, first, tender unreserved apology for the interruption in our operations, which led to the extension of our journey-time schedule of the said train.

“However, the management states here, categorically, that the locomotive failure was as a result of technical fault on the fuelling system, but not as a result of insufficient fuel as the general public was made to believe.”

According to him, there is more than sufficient fuel for the convenient and timely journey from Ibadan to Lagos in the same locomotive fuel tank; but to be proactive, NRC staff immediately sourced fuel under the suspicion it was fuel shortage, which was later discovered to be a technical fault on the fuelling system.

He added: “Meanwhile, we are equally appealing to the general public, especially our esteemed passengers and numerous admirers of the modern railway project, to continue having faith in our operations, as that is the surest way we can be motivated to serve you much better.

“Once again, kindly accept our unreserved apology for the inconveniences caused by that sudden and unforeseen Ibadan to Lagos standard gauge passenger train failure on Thursday, March 10, 2022.”