Date: 2016-05-09

Following report of collision of two trains at Jebba Bridge bordering Kwara and Niger States in which some passengers were reported to have died and several injured, Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed shock and sadness over the tragic incident while also commiserating with the families of the deceased.

Saraki also expressed sympathy with those who sustained injury in the incident and prayed to Almighty God to heal their wounds.

He also urged the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to investigate the cause of the accident and immediately put in place measures to prevent recurrence.

"As we work to improve rail system in Nigeria, we have to ensure that we pay attention to safety. Our plan is to make railway the centre of our transportation system conveying thousands of people around the country. With such a plan, the safety consideration must be top in our plan", he stated.

The Senate President noted that the overhaul of the rail system for efficiency and safety is part of the core mandate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government which explains why the Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar rail lines are already part of the recently signed 2016 budget

"It is my prayer that this kind of tragic incident will not be witnessed in Nigeria again. May Almighty Allah in His infinite mercy grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and uphold their families in this moment of grief and sorrow", Saraki prayed.