House of Representatives has urged security agencies in the country to prevent commuters from sitting or hanging on moving trains.

This followed the adoption of a motion entitled, “Call for an End to the Practice of Commuters Hanging on Moving Trains”, sponsored by Olajide Jimoh (APC-Lagos).

Moving the motion, Jimoh stressed the need for the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to maintain presence in trains and organised mobile and functional stations along train routes.

He said the call became necessary in view of the need to prevent loss of lives.

The lawmaker expressed concern at the practice whereby many commuters always sit or hang on moving trains, adding that the development was becoming trendy among many young commuters.

According to him, the practice which has led to loss of lives of some of the commuters is a clear evidence of failure to enforce the laws.

He, however, stressed the need for an effective transportation in the country.

“The rail transportation is one of the most efficient and cost-effective means of transport and is germane to economic growth and development, especially for a country with a population of 180 million people.

“Movement of people, goods and services will continue to be a challenge that cannot be met efficiently and effectively by road transportation alone.

“And as long as the railway system remains undeveloped, the pressure on the roads will remain,” Jimoh said.

The House, therefore, urged the Federal Government to work in collaboration with cosmopolitan states to provide alternative transportation systems to ease movement of people and goods.

The House also mandated its Committee on Land Transport to interface with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, with a view to evolving measures to eliminate the practice.

The Committee is to report back to the House within six weeks for further legislative action.