BRT/Train Crash: Minister calls for sensitisation on railway usage
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has called for more sensitisation programmes for drivers, railway line captains and road users on the dangers of crossing the rail.
The Minister made the call following Thursday‘s disaster involving a train and a BRT bus carrying about 85 passengers in Lagos, which led to the loss of many lives.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Nneka Anibeze, on Friday, the minister described the unfortunate incident as avoidable.
READ ALSO: Train collides with BRT bus in Lagos (Photos)
”We need more sensitisation programmes for BRT drivers and other railway line and road users on the dangers of crossing the rail when a train is approaching.”
Farouq sympathised with the Lagos State Government, and the victims of the crash and condoled the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
“I express my condolences to the Lagos State Government and victims of this fatal train accident. This is tragic and very unfortunate especially when it could have been avoided by exercising a little patience.
“I am very saddened by the loss of lives through the carelessness of a BRT driver. May God rest their souls. We pray for the quick recovery of those injured in the accident,” she said.
Speaking further, she recalled that the South West Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, reported how the Lagos State Government staff bus tried to cross the PWD/Sogunle rail while a train was approaching and got trapped on the rail leading to the crash.
READ ALSO: Lagos Train Crash: FG commences investigation as death toll rises to six
Farinloye had said many victims were rescued by LASEMA, NEMA, Police, FRSC, Civil Defence and the Nigeria Railway Corporation team, but some were lost in the crash.
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