President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has paid N718.19 million in contracts to private security firms to protect the 45-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna railway and stations.
According to Federal Capital Territory Minister Mohammed Bello, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the contract on Wednesday.
This was done in response to the railway attack between Abuja and Kaduna, which prompted the suspension of its operation.
Bello stated that the Buhari administration has considered its best options for overseeing Nigeria’s rail infrastructure.
The ministry reports that a total of N718,193,250 was approved to pay two security agencies to watch over the entire 45 kilometres of trail track and 20 stations across the country.
According to Bello, “Council approved Messers Al-Ahli Security Guards Limited and Messers Seaguard Security and Protective Company Limited. They are going to provide security to their entire 45 kilometres of track including 12 stations,” Mr Bello said. “These security services are meant to protect the key infrastructure on the rail tracks, the signalling and communication equipment as well as the electrical system.”
Bello noted that Al-Ahli Security Guard Limited will secure 27.4 kilometres of the track, covering eight stations, for N407,214,000 over two years, while Seaguard Securities are Protective Company Limited will secure 18 kilometres of the rail tracks, including four railway stations, for N310,979,250.