Fed govt unveils blueprint for transport sector, vows to tackle challenges 

 Vice President Kashim Shettima has unveiled a road map aimed at reforming the transportation sector in the country. 

He stressed the need for a robust and efficient transportation system that would connect every part of the country and drive socio-economic prosperity.

He said that none of the government’s eight presidential priorities, from food security to job creation, could be achieved without a functional transportation system.

He stated this during the unveiling of the blueprint on Tuesday, December 12, at the 5th National Summit of Chartered Institute of Transport Administration in Abuja.

Shettima said the federal government was committed to addressing the transportation challenges Nigerians were grappling with following the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

Represented by Special Adviser, General-Duties, to the President, Office of the Vice-President, Aliyu Modibbo, Shettima canvassed for a collaborative revolution with the institute as the driving force for the blueprint.

The vice president acknowledged the crucial role the institute plays as the “lifeblood” and “artery” of the nation’s economic and social progress.

Shettima said: “I must appeal to you to remain the architects of a robust and efficient transport system and to partake in managing the connection of every part of our nation, for that is the pathway to knitting together the fabric of our socio-economic prosperity.”

He added that the institute’s objectives aligned perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

”Mr President’s critical points of focus require an efficiently functional transportation system to achieve our mandate.

”We will find it useful to have suggestions from the institute: well-thought-out policy enunciation, transportation infrastructure designs, and effective operational management strategies in all modes of transportation.”

The vice president urged the institute to provide valuable expertise in the form of policy recommendations, transportation infrastructure designs, and effective operational management strategies across all modes of transportation.

Shettima recognised the technical and managerial skills of the members of the institute.

He expressed confidence in their ability to build a sector that drives employment, manufacturing and production within the industry.

He acknowledged the various concerns raised by the institute, including road construction materials, local airline viability, rapid rail development, pipeline security and waterway navigability while assuring the institute of an open door to the government for collaborative problem-solving.

He said: “We are offering you an open door to the government where we can work together to understand your fears and needs as we redeem the cross-cutting issues of energy pricing, green energy, and funding strategies for various aspects of the transportation project.

“We will also provide workable modalities for public-private partnerships, safety and security, technology adoption and adaptation.”

He further stressed the importance of training and attitudinal development for transportation operation personnel, particularly in the road sector.

Shettima highlighted the need for closer collaboration with transport worker unions and associations to improve the traveling and business experiences of Nigerians.

He said: “The reality of our post-subsidy removal adjustment, in which you have played quite a critical role in stabilising the nation, isn’t lost to us.

“This is why we trust your aspirations as we develop more solutions while we keep our doors open for innovative thinking, well-researched, and workable recommendations to tackle emerging governance challenges in your industry.”

The vice president urged the institute to increase its visibility and make its professional voice heard more frequently.

He described the institute as a strong partner of the government in tackling emerging governance challenges.

President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration, Segun Obayendo there was a need to support the federal government to develop the transport sector. 

Obayendo said recent incidents across all transport modes have sounded a clarion call for urgent and decisive action in the sector. 

He said 200 lives were lost to boat accidents 

He said: “From air and rail incidents to road accidents and unsafe waters; between January and June this year, thousands of people have died in road crashes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. 

“Also, this year alone, more than 200 lives were lost to boat accidents from Kwara to Calabar, Nasarawa and Adamawa to Sokoto, Kebbi and Ondo.”