By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Signal and Communications equipment and components are significant tools required to regulate movement of trains in and out of railway stations, but the rate at which signal cables and equipment are being vandalised currently in Nigeria, has forced staff of signal and Communications department in Nigerian Railway Corporation to rely on handsets to make phone calls to Locomotive engine drivers and station masters during transit.
This emerging trend is distinct from what obtained in the past when the corporation had its own exclusive signal and communication equipment used to regulate train movements and not rely on Global System Management (GSM) network that could be infiltrated by saboteurs with ulterior motives at the risk of passengers and freight.
Only recently a staff of the corporation was arrested by operatives of Man O’ war railway command at Rafa yard along the Warri-Itakpe train service corridor for alleged cable theft.
Similarly some of the underground cables and structures housing , signal and communications equipment along the narrow gauge railway corridor have either been vandalized or demolished/abandoned by hoodlums and railway management respectively to pave way for construction of standard gauge especially between Yaba and Papalanto sub-stations.
Speaking on vandalization of cables along Warri-Itakpe railway corridor by a staff, Dr. Kayode Opeifa said that several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable were removed from the track side installations before vigilant officers intercepted the suspect just as the stolen items were recovered intact and handed over to Nigerian Railway Police for further investigation and prosecution of culprits found wanting.
He stated that; railway assets are national assets adding that act of vandalism endanger passengers safety adding that any individual or group including workers found culpable of vandalism will be arrested and prosecuted.