Nigeria is working on a plan that will foster economic growth.
The National Road Transport Master Plan that is being developed is aimed at coming up with a comprehensive long-term Blueprint for road transportation in the country.
This, according to the West African Country will help guide future developments.
Senator Gbemisola Saraki who is in charge of the State Transport ministry made this known during the Transportation commissioners forum anual retreat 2021, themed “Developing and Fostering Synergy in the Management of Sustainable Transport Policies”.
Transportation infrastructure
According to Saraki, the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to improving transportation infrastructure and services, in order to meet the needs of Nigerians and the economy.
She noted that improving Transportation Infrastructure and services was one of the priorities of this administration as part of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
“Nigeria’s transportation sector has for long been under significant strain with adverse impact on the country’s economic development. It is our firm belief that the Road Transport sector can be a big contributor to national GDP, an enabler of economic growth and source of millions of jobs if properly harnessed,” the minister noted.
According to Chairperson of Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum Rahamatu Yar’adua, the retreat will address some the challenges in the Transportation sector and proffer solutions for the safety of lives and property.
According to her, the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum has been striving to change the narrative of Transportation system since inception.
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“The Forum gives way for an effective productive, efficacious advocacy and replication of the global best practices in the Transportation sector. This creates an enabling environment for sector operators and enhancing security and safety,” she said.
The senate Committee on Land Transportation chairman Senator Gyang Istafanus who also attended the event said the forum provides the nation a varitable platform to discuss, address, review and assess the workability, variability, functionality , efficiency of policies ,plans and programs that have direct bearing on the Transportation Sector and it’s role in nation building and national development.
He noted that he was glad to note from the keynote address of the chairman of the forum and Commissioner from Niger State that the concept of smart city Transportation management system was already being implemented in some States.
Safety
Further, he urged the replication in all States of the federation for safety in the streets and high ways.
He also said it is necessary for the forum to align her thoughts with the call for the review of the exclusive list in the constitution to allow for participation and involvement of States in railway Transportation.
Innovative and transformative initiatives
Permanent secretary Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani urged the forum to explore innovative and transformative initiatives that will help improve the road Transport Subsector for optimum performance and enhance productivity.
Representing Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, Mr Afam Umbanefor advised the forum to conceptualize, drive control mechanism of unified control, to bring about a smart way of working to synergise and develop the Transportation Sector and make it more efficient.
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Representing Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, Commissioner of commerce and industry Mustapha Jibril said Niger State is key to Transportation in Nigeria, as it has the largest land, mass, height, length of federal roads and it gave birth to 60 percent of the Federal Capital Territory.
He urged government to look into the Baro port as a lot more needs to done.
