THE NIGERIAN Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will continue to prioritise the welfare of its workforce and make their work environment safer and friendlier, even as the high cost diesel has almost made it impossible to operate trains.
The Managing Director of the corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, gave the assurance during a town hall meeting of the corporation, according to a statement on Friday in Lagos.
“Let me assure you that the corporation will continue to prioritise your welfare, but you must appreciate our precarious financial position. The fact is that the cost of diesel alone has almost made it impossible to operate our trains. We are running at a loss and we had to resort to borrowings to keep our operations,” Opeifa told NRC workers.
The NRC has two workers’ unions – Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) and Senior Staff Workers Union. Members of both unions attended the meeting.
Opeifa said that efforts of the workers had continued to sustain the operations of NRC. According to him, the corporation will not hesitate to improve the welfare of its workers as soon as its financial situation improves.
He gave the assurance that NRC management would continue to work with the workers’ unions on all grey areas, saying that, under his administration, workers would not need to go on strike to resolve any conflict.
He directed the Human Resources Department of NRC to address all areas of concerns with the workforce.
Opeifa said that NRC would soon begin to work on deployment of a speed train from Lagos to Abuja as part of expansion.
“This requires more spaces not only for construction of the corridor but also for more modern quarters for essential workers.
Opeifa said there were plans to construct a befitting headquarters of the NRC at the Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute-Meta, Lagos State.
Earlier, the NUR President, Mr Innocent Ajiji, and his Senior Staff Workers Union counterpart, Mr Marcel Okeke, lauded the NRC managing director for reforming the corporation.
The two union leaders urged the NRC management to expedite action on payment of 95 per cent enhancement benefit to railway workers.
The highpoint of the event included presentation of certificate of excellence and NRC Managing Director’s Cash Award to 13 workers for exceptional contributions to the development the corporation in 2025. (NAN)
