Amaechi to Face Probe as Senate Investigates Buhari-Era Railway Projects

By Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja

The Senate has ordered a comprehensive investigation into railway projects executed under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

SPEAR NEWS can report that the probe will see former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi invited before an investigation committee of The Red Chamber to account for contracts awarded during his tenure as Minister of Transportation.

Amaechi, who served as Transport Minister throughout the eight years of the late President Buhari’s administration, was responsible for the overall affairs of the ministry.

This decision followed growing concerns about persistent operational failures on recently completed rail lines.

The move was triggered specifically by what lawmakers termed “disturbing and persistent technical breakdowns” along the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge corridor, despite its recent inauguration.

The resolution followed a motion by Senator Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), who revealed that the corridor had recorded at least ten derailments and multiple service disruptions between 2023 and 2025 alone.

“The line has recorded persistent derailments, vandalism, and mechanical failures,” Dafinone told the chamber, highlighting how these incidents have endangered passengers and undermined public confidence in the rail system.

He raised serious questions about “the quality of engineering, supervision and post-construction maintenance” of the project.

The Senate subsequently established an ad-hoc committee with a six-week mandate to conduct a comprehensive probe into the Itakpe-Warri line and other rail projects completed during the Buhari years, effectively placing Amaechi’s stewardship as transport minister under official scrutiny.

Supporting the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) described the situation as “a national embarrassment,” emphasizing the financial stakes involved. “This is not about politics. Billions of dollars were borrowed for these lines, yet they are failing barely two years after completion,” Ningi stated. “We cannot continue to waste public funds and endanger lives.”

The investigation will examine broader patterns of potential failures across the railway system, with senators arguing that the problems may indicate systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.

Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North) called for a complete overhaul of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), insisting that the corporation had “failed to live up to its mandate.”

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, endorsed the investigation, framing it as a necessary measure to protect citizens and safeguard national investments.

“This is not a partisan matter. The derailments started before this administration. We must find out what went wrong – from loan procurement to execution and maintenance. Nigerians deserve answers,” Akpabio declared.

The probe resurrects previous controversies surrounding railway contracts awarded under Amaechi’s supervision.

This is not the first time Rotimi Amaechi will be facing legislative scrutiny over railway contracts.