A civil society organisation, Alliance for Public Asset Protection and Accountability (APAPA), has submitted a petition to the National Assembly seeking urgent legislative intervention over a proposed plan to dispose of railway infrastructure under the label of scrap sales.
In the petition addressed to both the Senate and House of Representatives, and signed by its president, Dr. Aminu Garba, APAPA expressed concerns over the planned disposal of railway assets, urging lawmakers to investigate the process to ensure transparency and adherence to due process.
The group raised questions about the role of the Ministry of Transport and the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL) in the planned sale.
It called for legislative scrutiny to ensure the process aligns with public interest and existing procurement regulations.
According to the petition, the organisation is concerned that valuable railway assets, some of which are reportedly still operational could be sold without adequate oversight or reinvestment in the sector.
Read Also: Commendation as Enenche speaks on behalf of ordinary Nigerians
“The railway system is a vital component of national infrastructure. Any action taken to dispose of its assets must be transparent, competitive, and in line with statutory procedures,” the petition read in part.
Thegroup urged the National Assembly to verify whether the relevant agencies, such as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), have been appropriately involved in the disposal process.
The group also called for a review of how proceeds from any such sales are accounted for and whether they are being reinvested into the sector for maintenance, safety upgrades, or expansion.
In its message to lawmakers, the organisation emphasised the importance of safeguarding national assets and preventing actions that could undermine public infrastructure development.
“We urge the National Assembly to step in and provide oversight on this matter to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s railway system,” the group said.
The group concluded by stating its readiness to engage the broader civil society if no legislative response is made within 30 days, in a bid to advocate for asset protection and accountability in the transport sector.