HOUSE OF REPS THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET: 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO TRANSPORT MINISTER OVER TRAIN DERAILMENT

The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, to appear before it over the recent derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train carrying over 600 passengers. The committee’s decision followed Alkali’s failure to attend an investigative hearing, which lawmakers described as “unacceptable” and a demonstration of “incompetence and disregard for the Nigerian people.”

“We are on recess, but many of us cut our break and came all the way from Lagos because of this national tragedy, only for the Minister to snub the parliament,” said Committee Chairperson, Hon. Blessing Onuh. “We take strong exception to this. Our brothers and sisters were endangered. This is not a joke. We are therefore suspending this meeting and mandating the Minister to appear in person within 48 hours.”

Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, echoed Onuh’s sentiments, accusing the Minister of incompetence and disregard for the Nigerian people. “This action clearly shows he is not competent to handle the job entrusted to him by the President,” Agbese said. “It is a dangerous signal that he does not care about the lives of Nigerians or the reputation of this government.”

The committee has warned that if Alkali fails to appear within the 48-hour timeframe, it will be reported directly to the President. “The President has warned that no Minister or agency should ignore parliament invitation,” Agbese said. “This minister has chosen contempt. If he fails to show up, Nigerians should know there is effectively no Minister of Transportation in this country.”