Just in: Transport Minister, Amaechi, wants railway vandals tried for manslaughter

Worried by vandalism of railway infrastructure across the country, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has suggested manslaughter charge for suspected vandals.

He said in Abuja on Friday that anyone caught vandalizing railway infrastructure in the country should be charged with manslaughter — unlawful killing of human beings with implied malice.

Amaechi spoke at the ministerial media briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said only stringent laws would deter the dastardly act, pointing out that vandalizing rail tracts could cause train derailment and deaths of passengers.

According to the minister, railway clips are frequently stolen causing the government huge sums of money in foreign currency to fix.

He disclosed that Nigeria and China have signed a contract to manufacture train coaches locally in the country following an initial five-year period including the assemblage of the components.

In addition, Amaechi announced that another agreement had been signed for the Chinese Government to build rail components manufacturing factory in Kajola, Ogun State.

“It is due to be commissioned later in 2021 and as well as another factory at a University in Daura, Katsina State to help localize railway technology.

“About 300 Nigerians have been sponsored to understudy rail technology in China and will be absorbed into the Transportation ministry on completion of their study,” Persecondnews quotes the minister, a former Rivers Governor, as saying.

Amaechi indicated that the Kaduna-Kano rail project would be flagged off in two weeks.

On the Lekki (Lagos) Deep Sea Port, he promised that it will be completed before 2023, the exit date for the Buhari administration.