Locomotive drivers with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) , can become Railway District Managers (RDM), provided they have all it takes, says its Director of Operations, Mr Niyi Alli.
Alli said on Saturday in Lagos that locomotive drivers were as important as any other management and administrative staff, and that they could become district managers, provided they had the basic qualification and the necessary requirements.
“No reason to deprive any qualified locomotive driver from attaining the post of RDM, provided he has all it takes to be one.
“I promise that with this new administration, no one would be deprived of their rights and benefits unjustly,” Alli told an interactive session with the locomotive drivers.
He said that the locomotive drivers were not to be blamed for all accidents until proven guilty, and after? thorough ?investigations.
?He, however, urged the drivers to be careful while driving for the safety of lives should be paramount in their minds.
Alli also called on motorists and pedestrians to always be cautious at railway level crossings by giving the train the right of way.
He regretted frequent accidents at the level crossings and promised ?that the management of the NRC would continue to sensitise the public on what was expected of them at level crossings.
The Director of Administration and human resources of the Corporation ,Mr Aminu Gusau, representing the NRC Managing Director , Mr Adeseyi Sijuwad,e said that the interactive session wais to show the importance of the locomotive drivers to the NRC.
“We organised this interactive session to assure the world that we care about our locomotive drivers– ?that is those who dives our trains.
“They are probably the most important part of our Corporation and we need to care about them and know what would motivate them for effective service,’’ Gusau said.
He assured the locomotive drivers that he would not hesitate to approve any request by the Director of Operations concerning their wellbeing.
Gusau added that the session was also to guide the locomotive drivers on what the new Railway was all about –“ that is a railway that is really intended to serve the people of this great country”.
Two of the locomotive drivers, Mr Matthew Afegbua and Mr Olarenwaju Amoo, appreciated the interactive session by the management which they said gave them the opportunity to express themselves and air their fears.
“We are happy we are counted an important part of the Corporation and we pray never to abuse the opportunity,” Afegbua said.
In his contribution, Amoo pleaded with the management to keep to the promises made to them, especially to promote them as at when due.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the RDM of the Lagos district, Mr Paul Ndibe and the District superintendent ,Mr Samuel Elumole, as well as other heads of departments in the Lagos district of the corporation, were present at the program . (NAN)