By Chiazo Ogbolu
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will continue to prioritise the
welfare of its workforce and make their work environment safer and friendlier.
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.
Members of the two workers` union – Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR)
and Senior Staff Workers Union attended the meeting
Opeifa lauded the efforts of the workers who he said have 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 added 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.
He also said there were plans to construct a befitting headquarter 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.
