By Kingston Magare 4.11.2025
The Nigerian Senate Tuesday set up a committee to conduct a full-scale investigation into the spendings on railway projects carried out by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is coming on the heels of frequent derailments, vandalism and mechanical failures on the Itakpe–Warri standard gauge rail line. The committee which has Senators Adams Oshiomhole, Huseini Babaginda, Adamu Aliero, Wasiu Eshinlokun, Osita Ngwu, Adeola Solomon, Ibrahim Dankwabo, Ireti Kingibe and Sahabi Yau, has six weeks to submit its report.
According to Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) who moved the motion for the resolution said the last regime committed a lot of resources to the Warri-Itakpe corridor, yet it has continued to suffer frequent disruptions.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) who supported the motion said: “The government borrowed billions of dollars to construct these lines, yet they are collapsing barely two years after completion.
“This is not about politics. We must hold those responsible accountable for negligence and mismanagement.”
Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West) blamed Nigeria’s chronic project failures on poor conception and maintenance culture.
“The same Chinese firms that built the Mombasa–Nairobi railway in Kenya delivered a functional system that still works efficiently. Why is ours collapsing within months?” he asked.