Transportation minister urges NRC to make train accessible for elderly, PWDs

By Temitope Adebayo

The minister of transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali has raised concerns over the inaccessibility of the train station in Kubwa, Abuja for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

He noted that the design of the facility, particularly the staircase used by passengers disembarking from trains arriving from Rigasa, does not cater to the needs of PWDs and the elderly.

Alkali made this observation during an unscheduled inspection of the station, prompted by reports of vandalism affecting the main power supply from the national grid.

In the past few days, the station management has had to rely on alternative power sources to maintain operations.

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The minister called on the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the station manager to work with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for the swift restoration of power and to enhance security around the facility.

In response to the accessibility issues, Alkali asked the director of rail services to address the problem, ensuring that necessary modifications are affected.

He emphasised the importance of safeguarding passengers and committed to resolving the station’s dysfunctional facilities.