The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has extended the suspension of the Warri-Itakpe Train Services (WITS) to implement critical operational enhancements aimed at improving safety, efficiency and service delivery.
The suspension which was initially announced on Thursday, 10th April 2025, was attributed to technical and operational issues.
However, the Corporation has now confirmed that while the primary technical faults have been resolved, further time is required to install operational redundancies in line with international best practices.
According to a statement issued electronically by the management of the Corporation under the leadership of Dr Kayode Opeifa, the move is part of a broader strategy to sustain long-term rail operations and enhance customer experience.
“The management of the Corporation wishes to further clarify that while the major technical issues have been resolved by our technical team additional time is required to implement necessary redundancies that will support sustainable operations in line with best practices” the statement noted.
The NRC also explained that the extended suspension period would be used to address other pressing operational concerns. These include upgrades in customer service, equipment safety standards and procedural reforms.
The statement added that the NRC is committed to delivering safe and efficient rail transportation that meets both national expectations and global benchmarks.
It reassured passengers that all interventions currently being executed are geared toward ensuring reliable and uninterrupted service delivery when operations resume.
“We appreciate the understanding and patience of our esteemed passengers and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause” the Corporation stated.
The Warri-Itakpe corridor is a key rail link connecting Delta State to Kogi State and plays a vital role in the movement of passengers and goods across several economic zones in southern and central Nigeria.
The continued suspension of services on the route has affected travel plans and logistics operations but the NRC has maintained that the long-term benefits of the enhancements underway outweigh the short-term disruptions.
No specific date has been provided for the resumption of services but the Corporation affirmed that updates will be communicated promptly upon completion of the ongoing upgrades.
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