From Idu Jude, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated the need for a robust transportation industry to further buttress the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration on strengthening the Nation’s economy.
The Vice- President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, amplified this Tuesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the National Transport Summit organised by the Federal Ministry of Transportation in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration CIOTA.
According to the Vice-President, who was represented in the occasion by the Special Assistant on Special Duties to Mr President Dr Aliu Umar Modibo, the Federal Government, is not oblivion of the urgent need to address the issue of policy framework, which would in a long run make the sector key to economic boost.
“I can tell you that this programme falls in line with this administration’s key mandate of renewed hope. And counting from security, Agriculture, education and the rest, transportation sector needs to be prioritized to lubricate the entire economy and to ensure that our economy grows astronomically. So Mr. The President, has a good plan for transportation. He believes that no country can afford to perform creditably well without a perfect transportation system, so we can’t afford to ignore the CIOTA call”.
He however, urged leadership of CIOTA, to ensure that it’s campaign for professionalism goes down to all segments of the transportation system on attitudinal means to ensure respect to road policies.
Speaking earlier, in his welcome address, President of the Chartered Institute of Transport CIOTA Dr. Segun Obayendo, said that the dream of his leadership on this year’s summit, is to underscore the imperative of professionalizing the transport sector. He stressed that the infiltration of untrained individuals pose significant risk, especially given the intricate nature of the sector , which is intricately intertwined with people’s daily lives.
“As the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration, we bear a crucial responsibility to ensure that safety, security and best practices are prioritised by the relevant authorities”.
While detailing this year’s theme, ‘ emerging National Governance challenges and prospects’, he noted that the National overview, defines the structure, standard procedure, best practices,and compliance system. “Does our country have a National Transport policy? Where are we on the National Transport commission? How strong is our regulatory framework? This is the crux of the theme of this summit. The sooner we agree that the Government alone cannot do it all, the better for us. The earlier we accept the indispensability of CIOTA in the transportation geometric equation, the safer, more secured and efficient we become”.
Further speaking, he said that the strength lies in the professionalism, optimum development of technology, and artificial intelligence, which is presently en vogue. ” I see a future where our taxi drivers will be in a suit and tie or uniform that enable them to be treated differently. I see a future, where there would be no touts across the modes of transportation. I see a future where regardless of your statues, you will obey traffic lights, not drive against traffic lights, and cover your plate number. I see where the transport sector will be treated as the most indispensable sector and the highly esteemed contributor to Gross Domestic Product GDP”
Meanwhile, a call has been made to the Federal Government to prioritise the transportation sector as the only key to economic boost
While delivering a key note address during the summit, professor Omotayo Ayo, insisted that the country cannot achieve economic growth outside the perfect transportation model.
Professor Ayo observed that immovability of goods and services affects the circle of human lives and the economy in general.
“I would like the Present administration that the only way to achieve positive impact in the ‘renewed hope agenda, is to ensure that Nigeria prioritise transportation sector, with the perfect address if some of the challenges affecting the industry, which includes, insecurity, lack Infrastructure, lack technology and manpower as well as environmental factors.
The two days National Transport Summit, is to come up with a policy document to be presented to the National Assembly to exhume the rejected National Transport bill which was rejected by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.