NRC suspends staff accused of collecting cash from pnboard passengers

The Nigeria Railway Corporation has suspended members of its staff following a viral video that has been trending on various social media platforms, vividly showing them negotiating with passengers on-board Lagos–Ibadan Train Service to pay without obtaining an official boarding ticket.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the deputy director of public relations, Yakub Mahmood, and made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday.

The statement read, “The General Public is invited to note that the Nigerian Railway Corporation seriously condemns such act of misconduct which is flagrant disobedience to laid down rules and utter betrayal of the confidence reposed on such workers, especially at this time that the Federal Government is making all efforts at revitalising and modernising the Corporation.

“This misconduct is regrettable and unacceptable as it negates the tenets and norms of the Corporation. The Corporation has therefore placed the identified erring officers on immediate suspension pending the outcome of the in-depth investigation already ongoing by the Management Committee set up to look into the issue.”

The NRC further pointed out that such acts are considered a dent on the image of the corporation and won’t be condoned.

“Our esteemed Passengers and the General Public are assured that this unwholesome attitude and image dent to the Corporation by any staff will not be tolerated nor treated with any levity. Accordingly, disciplinary proceedings in line with the Extant Rules citing relevant sections of the NRC General Rules and Public Service Rules will definitely be visited on all those found wanting or connected to this irresponsible act.”

Intending passengers were urged to insist on getting a boarding ticket.

“The Management of the NRC wishes to use this medium to enjoin all our intending passengers on LITS and other train corridors to insist and demand for boarding ticket(s) after making appropriate payments at the designated stations or book online appropriately. Please note that the electronic ticketing system is being deployed and will be available on both the Lagos – Ibadan Train Service and the Warri – Itakpe Train Service by end of October 2023,” it added.