By Seun Ibiyemi
The Lagos State Government has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security operations and protect railway infrastructure and other critical national assets.
The vehicles, provided through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), were formally presented to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Presenting the vehicles, the Executive Secretary and CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the intervention was part of the state government’s continued support for security agencies and institutions operating in Lagos.
Ogunsan, who was accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Demola Lewis, said the donation would enhance the capacity of security personnel attached to the railway to respond effectively to vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along the railway corridor.
He commended the ongoing transformation within the NRC under Opeifa’s leadership, noting that the state government considered it necessary to provide further support for the protection of railway infrastructure and improved operational effectiveness.
The LSSTF boss urged the Nigeria Police Railway Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which are expected to utilise the vehicles for railway security operations, to ensure their judicious use.
He explained that the Fund had a monitoring mechanism to ensure that assets donated for security purposes were deployed strictly for the assignments for which they were provided.
According to him, responsible utilisation of the vehicles would encourage the Lagos State Government and the Fund to provide further assistance where necessary.
Responding, Opeifa expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for supporting the Corporation’s efforts to enhance railway security and operations.
He also commended the leadership and entire team of the LSSTF for their commitment, partnership and continued support towards the safety and security of the railway system in Lagos.
The NRC managing director assured the state government and the Fund that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for the purposes for which they were donated.
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He called on other state governments, particularly across the 26 states where the NRC has operational presence, to support the protection of railway assets, stressing that effective collaboration would facilitate quicker responses to vandalism and other criminal activities affecting railway infrastructure.
Opeifa further made a personal donation to the LSSTF and encouraged NRC staff, corporate organisations and residents of Lagos to continue supporting the Fund’s efforts to make the state safer for residents and businesses.
Beyond the provision of the vehicles, he disclosed that the Lagos State Government had expressed readiness to rehabilitate some roads within the railway compound and provide solar-powered streetlights upon completion.
He added that work was ongoing on a major storm-water drainage project designed to channel water from the railway compound towards the Mile 2 lagoon.
According to him, the drainage intervention, which commenced earlier in the year, had significantly improved the environment around the railway compound and helped prevent the perennial flooding previously experienced during heavy rainfall.
Speaking on behalf of the security agencies, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Railway Command, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yahaya Usman, thanked the Lagos State Government and the LSSTF for the donation to the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC.
He assured that the vehicles would be deployed strictly for railway security operations and used responsibly to strengthen surveillance, patrol and response capabilities along the railway corridor.
The intervention further underscores the growing partnership between the NRC and the Lagos State Government in promoting safer railway operations, protecting critical infrastructure and improving the security of passengers and railway communities.
