Nigeria Railway Corporation said it has commenced the repair of a portion of its narrow gauge rail line threatened by floods around Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, preparatory to Sallah.

The NRC added that its engineers have been deployed to the flood-ravaged area for repair operations to guard against disruptions during the Sallah period.

This was made known through a statement signed by the Deputy Director of the Public Relations Unit of the Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the site, located at km 294+12 poles in the Oke-Onitea area of Osogbo, suffered a washout following heavy rainfall last Saturday.

Unyimadu added that the remedial work is critical to maintaining safe and uninterrupted train operations for passengers that will travel to Osogbo, Ilorin and Minna corridors during the Eid festive season.

The NRC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kayode Opeifa, expressed regret over the washout but reassured passengers that all necessary steps are being taken to bring relief to the passengers and ease train movement before the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

The statement further called on “residents of Oke-Onitea and other communities along the rail corridors in Osogbo to refrain from dumping refuse indiscriminately, as such practices contribute to culvert blockages and rail infrastructure damage.

“The Corporation reiterated its commitment to delivering safe, customer-focused rail services to the Nigerian public.”

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