Follow Us on Google
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Barring any change in plans, the federal government would review the National Land Transport Policy, which is regarded as the weakest link in the transportation value chain in Nigeria.
To this effect, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu and his counterpart in the Transportation Ministry, Senator Said Alkali, met in Abuja, at the weekend, to seek ways to incorporate the Public Private Partnership (PPP) into the system.
Speaking at the interactive session, Bagudu said that the most important action that could ensure good results from the policy was to reflect on how to incorporate Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement so that the collaboration could generate support from stakeholders.
He stated that at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Initiative was approved. This, according to him, was designed to ensure that the council captured some of the elements in the funding arrangement which could reduce the drawback that had affected or limited the implementation of the policies, the development plan, as well as the agenda 2050.
Bagudu commended his counterpart for the laudable policies and projects which, he said, were absolutely necessary for the development of the country.
Earlier, Alkali said the Nigerian Transportation Sector was in dire need of a good and workable policy.
He pointed out that it is in the realisation of this that he inaugurated a technical committee in January, 2024 to review past efforts and develop a sustainable Land Transport Policy framework.
In a statement, Alkali said the policy was focused on the traditional land transport mode of rail and road, which were currently the weakest links in transport and logistics value chain.
However, the minister said it would serve as a blueprint to build a transportation system that would meet the needs of the people.
He further sought for an embracing consensus on the nation’s land policy that would stand the test of time and advance the vision of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigerian transportation sector.
