There are strong indications that the newly launched Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have started disappointing passengers as it frequently developed fault.
The DMU that was launched by the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo early this month, which moves passengers to and fro Lagos on a daily basis for whooping N750 has been experiencing numerous problems that it has start disappointing and delaying customers.
According to one of the commuters who spoke to Our Correspondent, Kamradeen Agbaje said the DMU developed fault at Itoki on Thursday on its way to ijoko, Ogun state.
According to him, “on Thursday evening while coming back from office, it developed fault and it took many hours before we could get to our destination.”
Also, on Friday the DMU could not leave Kajola in Ogun State for Lagos forcing commuters to join the old one.
Another commuter, Tinuke Olawunmi, who spoke with our correspondent with annoyance said the corporation had wasted her time as she had an appointment to catch but could not anymore due to the delay.
She said, “this new railway that was launched was convenient, no doubt but it is too early to start developing fault because I don’t think there is any explanation for a rail system that is not up to two months to start developing fault.”
She however said the fault may be due to lack of maintenance or the railway management getting fairly used engines for Nigerians to use.
Even, people have been casting aspersions on the newly launched train set with many calling it a second hand set purchased from the Republic of China.
They however called for the probe of the purchasing of the unit by the management of the corporation
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It could be recalled that the federal government just recently launched the two DMU engines in an elaborate ceremony where the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, Deputy Governor of Lagos state, Adejoke-Adefulure and members of the National Assembly commissioned the engines amid fanfare.
Speaking during the commissioning, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo vowed to bring the country rail sector at par with the modern railway available in other countries of the world.
He also disclosed his administration readiness to bring in more DMU’s and air conditioning coaches for use of Nigerians.
The president words, “this commissioning is a starter and in the next few months, more and more will be commissioned.
While delivering his speech on the day of the commissioning, the chairman of the house of Representatives committee on Land transport, Musa Adan lamented that commissioning two DMU and six air conditioning coaches should not call for fanfare as it was done because Nigeria should have gone beyond that.
He however commended the management of the corporation and tasked them to deliver more.
