Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Seyi Sijuwade, has blasted the ongoing practice of internal investigations into rail accidents, stating that it compromises safety and supports fraudulent reporting.
He spoke alongside other stakeholders at the Multimodal Transportation Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja hosted by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)This is just as the bureau as released new regulations for rail, maritime and air transportationThe bureau formerly known as Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) in responsibility of investigation of events and accidents in aviation now has an extended duty including all modes of transportation like the United State National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)With the topic, “Strengthening Transport Safety Standards Through Collaboration,” the gathering met important participants across transport sectors to develop an integrated national safety plan after the enlarged role of NSIB as a multimodal investigative agencySpeaking on his experience in train operations, Sijuwade drawn attention to reoccurring conflicts of interest.
He described the present system to train incident inquiries as defective and unaccountable.
He observed that incidents are routinely examined by workers intimately involved in the operations, which distorts conclusions and shields top officers from scrutinyWe have witnessed occasions where train drivers remain loyal to their line bosses. When errors develop due to poor maintenance, the reports typically shield individuals in control. Investigations done by operational staff cannot ensure truth or objectivity,” he said
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