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SOME concerned citizens in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States have called for the re-introduction of barricades some metres away from Level Crossings across the country.
A Level Crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road, path, or airport runway at the same level, as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under, using an overpass or tunnel.
In their responses to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey, they lamented that unlike in the past, such safety measures were no longer taken seriously.
They also called for the involvement of private security companies to man such barricades to avoid act of dereliction of duty by those posted to such places.
Others reiterated the need to outlaw socio-economic activities some metres away from railway tracks, as well as intensification of campaigns on security consciousness.
In addition to all those, Mr Adediran Ekundayo, a transport expert resident in Kaduna, suggested the conduct of routine medical checks for drivers.
He also suggested the erection of barricades at all Level Crossings throughout the country, and warning signs placed some metres ahead.
“In the past, there used to be barricades installed to block cars and buses from crossing the rail tracks when a train is approaching, but unfortunately, these measures are no longer in place,” Ekundayo lamented.
On his part, Mr Abdullsalam Yunusa, an Official of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Kaduna admitted that most train accidents were not caused by train operators.
He said government should take strict measures to prohibit business activities close to rail tracks.
Yunusa also urged train operators to be blaring the horn while they were miles from Level Crossings to alert vehicle drivers, as well as pedestrians.
Another expert, Alhaji Aminu Salihu, called for installation of modern traffic signals at such Level Crossings and the engagement of traffic officers who would ensure that vehicles did not cross rail tracks while train was approaching.
Salihu further urged the NRC, FRSC and NURTW to intensify efforts at enlightening the public, especially motorists, on the dangers of rushing to cross rail lines when trains were approaching.
In his contribution, Mr Abdullahi Labaran, the Public Relations Officer of FRSC, Kano State, said the right-of-way of Nigeria Railway Corporation should be clearly identified.
“The NRC should construct fences on its right-of-way, especially near Level Crossings ,” he suggested.
Similarly, the Director Public Affairs, Kano Road Traffic Agency, KAROTA), Malam Nabilusi Abubakar, advised NRC to erect signs warning motorists about approaching trains.
Also, Malam Muda Ali, a retired railway worker, called on the NRC to engage private security personnel to man its Level Crossings, while another respondent, Mr George Clement, called for a complete ban on economic activities some metres from rail tracks.
Clement lamented that some traders and motorists were never security conscious. (NAN)
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Tags: Alhaji Aminu Salihu FRSC Malam Nabilusi Abubakar Mr Abdullsalam Yunusa Mr Adediran Ekundayo Mr George Clement
