The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guiding janitorial services onboard train coaches and at railway stations nationwide.
The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
The statement was signed by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC, Mr Callistus Unyimadu.
Opeifa said the initiative would further improve safety, cleanliness and comfort for passengers across the railway network.
According to him, the SOP was officially presented to cleaning service providers at a workshop held at the corporation’s headquarters.
He charged participants to ensure strict compliance with the operational standards contained in the new efficiency alignment document, irrespective of their locations across the country.
“I observed that cleaning in modern railway operations is no longer a routine task but a strategic function that directly impacts passenger safety, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency,” he said.
He said the workshop organised by the Business Processes, Efficiency and Due Diligence (BuPED) Desk was aimed at establishing uniform standards and developing quality control cleaning codes for all train cleaning operators under the corporation.
“Today marks a milestone in transforming the Nigerian Railway into a model train service, improving not only transportation but also the quality of the environment provided for passengers nationwide.
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“The success of train services is not measured only by the number of trains that run on time, but also by the quality of sanitation at stations and inside the coaches.
“It is measured by cleanliness, comfort and the confidence passengers have in our services,” he said.
The NRC boss stressed that passengers deserved clean railway stations and well-maintained coaches.
He added that such expectations were fundamental to sustaining public trust and confidence in the railway system.
He commended the BuPED Department for bringing together cleaning service providers nationwide to train them on minimum acceptable standards and practices for cleaning railway coaches and stations across the country.
“For rail systems, standards are universal all over the world. If we are to compete globally, we must ensure that those working with us deliver their very best.
“That is why this management established BuPED to drive efficiency, reform and due diligence across our operations.
“This flagship workshop is therefore aimed at aligning all our cleaning contractors with the level of professionalism and efficiency we desire,” he said.
Opeifa explained that the operational manual distributed during the training should serve as a daily guide for all cleaning contractors and service providers.
“This workshop is meant to improve efficiency.
“The purpose is to ensure that everyone clearly understands the standard operating procedures and cleaning checklist required to address safety concerns and maintain uniformity across all our stations nationwide.
“We want consistency, professionalism and safety in every aspect of our cleaning operations,” he said.
He urged participants to prepare for opportunities emerging as the Federal Government expands railway infrastructure nationwide through projects such as Kano–Kaduna, Kano–Maradi, Ibadan–Osogbo–Ilorin and Enugu–Aba rail lines.
“A multi-billion-naira railway ecosystem is being built, and those who contributed to its growth will also help manage and sustain new corridors when operational,” he said.
The Director of BuPED, Mr Oyekunle Oyewole, said all 24 cleaning service providers were expected to fully comply with minimum standards under the newly introduced operational codes.
Oyewole added that future contractor assessments would be based strictly on compliance with the new standards and operational procedures.
He encouraged participants to maximise the workshop opportunity, assuring that BuPED remained available to support and guide operators towards improved performance and efficiency in their operations.
(NAN)
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