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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC Dr. Kayode Opeifa has called for a new strategic national rail transportation and logistics master plan to drive rail transportation in the country.
He noted that enactment of a holistic national transport policy would help drive sustainable transportation in Nigeria.
He also called among others, for the establishment of the Ministry of Transportation by all the state governments, a review of the current integrated infrastructure master plan, as well as an integrated strategic transportation master plan that would encompass rail, water, air and road by all the state governments.
Speaking at opening ceremony of “Transport Day 11th Annual lecture”, held recently in Lagos, Opeifa commended the unprecedented investment in rail infrastructure, revitalisation of the national rail transportation through the railing with States and freights by rail revolution.
He also praised Federal government for supporting states with grants for rail system infrastructure in just two years of the administration thereby setting the pace for more impact in the transportation sector.
The NRC boss in his paper: Sustainable Transportation System in Nigeria: A path to economic prosperity, explained that though Nigeria is not performing poorly on sustainable mobility indices, the sector could achieve more with a proper framework for sustainable Mass Transit operations.
Also critical for a sustainable transportation across the country, according to Dr Opeifa are; the establishment of motor vehicle administration, (MVAA) a Driver Licensing Administration Agency (DLAA), and a functional Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), and Driver Training Institute, by all the state governments.
The MD who drew a nexus between sustainable transportation and sustainable Development Goals, urged all state governments and other stakeholders to continue to prioritize accessibility, affordability, inclusion efficiency and environmental responsibility.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for daring to free scarce resources wasted on fuel subsidy, the harmonization of the currency exchange rates and other reforms, all of which in just two years have set the tone for more impact on the transportation sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, the convener and Publisher of Transport Day, Frank Kintum, lauded the present administration for the Compressed Batural Gas (CNG) initiative which is setting a new tone for the deployment of newer energy to replace fossil fuel.
He said Nigeria cannot be left behind in the march towards the adoption of cleaner energy, especially electric vehicle for the transportation and mobility.
