NRC Commends Lagos As LSSTF Donates Operational Vehicles For Railway Security
NRC Commends Lagos as LSSTF Donates Operational Vehicles for Railway Security
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), has donated two operational vehicles to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to strengthen security operations and improve the protection of railway infrastructure and other critical national assets.
The vehicles were presented to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, during a brief ceremony at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Presenting the vehicles, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the LSSTF, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, said the donation formed part of the Lagos State Government’s sustained commitment to supporting security agencies and institutions operating within the state.
Accompanied by the Administrative Secretary of the Fund, Mr. Demola Lewis, Ogunsan explained that the operational vehicles would enhance the capacity of security personnel attached to the railway to respond promptly to incidents of vandalism, theft and other criminal activities along railway corridors.
He commended the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation under the leadership of Dr. Opeifa, describing the intervention as a strategic contribution towards safeguarding railway infrastructure and improving operational efficiency.
Ogunsan urged the Nigeria Police Railway Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who will utilise the vehicles, to ensure they are deployed solely for railway security operations.
He disclosed that the LSSTF operates a monitoring mechanism to ensure that all security assets donated by the Fund are used strictly for their intended purposes, adding that responsible utilisation would encourage further government support.
Responding, the NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government, particularly Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for its continued support towards strengthening railway security and operations.
Opeifa also commended the leadership and management of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund for their commitment to protecting the nation’s railway infrastructure, noting that the donation would significantly improve the operational capabilities of security agencies responsible for safeguarding railway assets and passengers.
He assured the Lagos State Government that the vehicles would be deployed exclusively for the purposes for which they were donated.
The NRC boss further appealed to other state governments, especially the 26 states where the Corporation has operational presence, to emulate Lagos by supporting efforts to protect railway infrastructure from vandalism and other criminal activities.
According to him, stronger collaboration between state governments and the Corporation would enhance surveillance, improve emergency response and reduce attacks on critical railway assets across the country.
Opeifa also announced a personal donation to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and encouraged NRC employees, corporate organisations and Lagos residents to continue supporting the Fund’s initiatives aimed at enhancing security in the state.
He further disclosed that the Lagos State Government had indicated its readiness to rehabilitate internal roads within the railway compound and install solar-powered streetlights after the completion of ongoing projects.
According to him, work is already in progress on a major storm-water drainage project designed to channel floodwater from the railway premises to the Mile 2 Lagoon.
He noted that the drainage project, which commenced earlier this year, has already improved the environment within the railway compound and addressed 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 operational vehicles donated to the Nigeria Police Force and the NSCDC.
He assured that the vehicles would be effectively deployed to strengthen surveillance, patrol and rapid response operations along railway corridors.
The donation further reinforces the growing partnership between the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation in promoting safer railway operations, protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing the security of passengers and railway communities.
