The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has issued a warning against the vandalism of railway infrastructure, asserting that these critical components are not mere scrap materials but invaluable national assets essential for the country’s unity and economic development.
In an interview on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy,” on Saturday, Opeifa emphasised the significance of the railway system beyond its immediate transportation function, highlighting its role in binding the diverse Nigerian populace.
Addressing the persistent challenge of vandalism, particularly the theft of railway materials, the NRC MD stated, “We don’t have scraps in the Nigerian railway; we have national assets.”
He distinguished discarded waste and the functional, integrative infrastructure that forms the backbone of the nation’s connectivity.
Opeifa recounted encountering similar issues internationally but pointed out a unique local problem.
“I was at a conference in South Africa I think in the month of April and I was shocked that people are even stealing electric cables that powers their trade,” he noted, contrasting this with the prevalent issue in Nigeria. “but what do they steal here they steal the steel and they call it scrap.”
He stressed the destructive impact of such acts, explaining that these “scraps” are in fact fundamental elements that facilitate national cohesion.
“Those are the assets that link our people by culture, by religion, by tribe to each other. Through those tracks, you can transit from Lagos to Osogbo speaking Yoruba. You’ve got to learn speaking further when you get to Ilorin to Mokua and Niger, you change to Nupe from Nupe you start speaking Hausa and go further to speak Igbo. You speak fufide in Kaura Namoda or some other language when you go to the other side you are speaking calabari, you speak Edo then if you want to go further, you speak Hebrew and you move further you start speaking Tiv and when you get to Maiduguri, you are speaking Kanuri”, Opeifa said.
The NRC MD underscored that any act of vandalism is akin to striking at the very core of Nigeria’s national identity. “Anybody vandalising them is like going to the heart of our people, the integration that binds us together,” he lamented.
Opeifa appealed directly to local communities situated along the railway corridors, urging them to take ownership and ensure the survival of these vital assets.
He pointed out that rail lines often transform surrounding areas into major cities, thereby serving the direct interests of the local populace.
“Every part the railway passes through becomes a major city so it is in the interest of the locals too to make sure the railway survives,” he added.
While not detailing specific security measures taken, Opeifa implied ongoing efforts, stating, “I wouldn’t want to talk about what we have been doing so far but we just pray that we continue to do them and want to appeal to the communities who are supporting us to continue to support us the area we need them more is in the area of vandalism.”
