NRC Harps On Level Crossing Signs

The Nigerian Railway
Corporation has called on members of the public and motorists to observe and obey the signs while approaching level crossings to avoid crashes.
The Enugu District Manager of the corporation, Mr Donatus Ogbodo, made the call while speaking with newsmen who monitored the resumed movement of trains on the Enugu-Port Harcourt route recently.
“We expect the public to know that they are supposed to observe level crossing signs as they approach the crossing,” he said.
“We have provided security and signs to warn our locomotive drivers while approaching the level crossing to avoid crashing vehicles or individuals at the intersection.
“At about 400 metres on either side of the intersection, the corporation has put the sign warning for the locomotive drivers and as soon as they get to that sign, they start blowing their horns.
“It also helps the public and motorists to stay away from the level crossing when they hear the horn to avoid accidents,’’ Ogbodo said.
He said that some level crossings were made at the request of people like the state or federal governments and some corporate bodies.
“You know the rail has been there for more than 100 years, people requested for the level crossing through applications and we granted them access after paying a token for it.
“Each time it is established, those who requested for it have the duty to maintain the crossing by paying some dues, but unfortunately, most states, corporate bodies and even the Federal Government have defaulted in this regard,” Ogbodo said.
The district manager said the first phase of the railway inter-city had been concluded to run from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
He said that plans had been concluded to open up other areas in the next few weeks which would be running from Imo River to Port Harcourt and Enugu to Eha-Amufu.
“We are trying to introduce two mass transits before the end of this month,” he said.
Some passengers who boarded the train from Port Harcourt to Enugu said the railway transport was the best system one could travel with without crash and so much stress.
Mr Wayne Agozie, one of the passengers, said that though it was his first time of boarding a train, it was a good journey.
He pleaded with the government to continue maintaining the railway services because it was convenient and cheaper.

Members of Child Rights Brigade, Enugu State Command during their inauguration.