The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced that it will soon release a report on the train and Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) collision that occurred in Agege, Ikeja earlier this month.
The NSIB’s director-general, Engr. Akin Olateru made the announcement during a visit to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing safety in the rail and road sectors.
Olateru explained that the report will contain recommendations to both parties on how to prevent a recurrence of the accident in the future. He clarified that the NSIB’s investigations do not focus on assigning blame but instead identify the causal and contributory factors that led to the accident. He added that the NSIB has 45 well-trained investigators experienced in investigating rail and maritime incidents and accidents.
During his visit to LASEMA, Olateru expressed regret over the accident, which claimed nine lives and caused significant damage to the bus. However, he assured the Lagos State Government that the NSIB’s investigators would conduct a thorough investigation and come up with recommendations to prevent future accidents. He also sought a partnership with LASEMA to enhance capacity building, training, and idea exchange.
The permanent secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu gave a presentation on the train-bus accident and how the agency was able to minimize the casualties. He said that LASEMA’s officials were at the scene of the accident within 10 minutes, and rescue operations commenced immediately. He sought a partnership with the NSIB in the areas of training and equipment acquisition to improve safety in the sector.
At the NRC, Olateru reiterated that the report on the accident would be issued to the public soon. He explained that the new NSIB Act 2022 followed due process before being enacted and assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari. The essence of the new act is to minimise all forms of road accidents in the country and save more lives.
According to Olateru, the Nigerian Railway Corporation previously acted as the regulator, investigator, and service provider, which created a conflict of interest. In 2018, he made a presentation to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to centralise all accident investigations in Nigeria in all modes of transportation. The FEC approved the proposal, leading to the passage of the NSIB Act 2022.
The managing director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, expressed delight to work with the NSIB, stating that the bureau’s involvement would improve safety and prevent a recurrence.
He emphasised that the loss of life in the accident would have been more catastrophic – given that there were more than 1000 passengers aboard – if not for the efforts of the train driver.
Meanwhile, the NSIB, LASEMA, and NRC will establish a committee to develop an MoU, strengthening their relationships under the NSIB Act 2022.
