Minister Promises Transformation in Transportation Sector

The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Ahmed Alkali, says the present administration is committed to transforming the country’s transportation system to meet world standards to boost economic growth.

Senator Alkali disclosed this at the Annual Seminar organised by the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondents Association ATACA, with the theme “Harnessing the Aviation, Railway, Marine and Blue Economy Sectors for Sustainable Transportation in Nigeria” in Abuja the nation’s capital.

The Minister was represented by his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Mr. Shuaibu Danwanka. He commended the Association for choosing a theme that responds to national and global realities and recognised transportation as a strong enabler of economic growth.

“I hope that the event will address the critical issues that constitute impediments to the effectiveness of land, air, and marine transportation in Nigeria.”

“As the event is conducted at the time of celebrating Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, it is expected to come up with innovative ways of mass communicating ideas, techniques, and milestones of the transport sector to showcase the Association’s pivotal role in public image-making of the sector as a dominant pillar of the nation’s sustainable economic growth.”

The Guest Speaker of the event, an Economist, Dr Emeka Ekengwu, stressed that the contributions of transportation to national development cannot be over-emphasised.

He noted with concern, how the country is not taking full advantage of transportation as a tool for national development.

“There are two important factors in every country’s transportation system that make it successful, which are availability and Affordability; if we portray these factors, we can say Nigeria is left behind in Marine, Rail, Aviation, and Road.

“Poor transportation system has contributed to the high cost of living which the country needs to address by Linking all the parts of the country with rail lines and construction roads for the movement of food items across the country.

“But with the policies put in place by the present administration, we believe the transportation system of Nigeria will be transformed and contribute to national development.”

He further challenged journalists to engage the government on the issue that concerns national development rather than “just reporting.”

Similarly, the representative of the Chairman, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration, Prince Segun Obayendo, commended the Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondents Association for bringing together experts to discuss the issue that concerns national development.

“Permit me to align with ATACA by offering membership of our great Institute to all your members. This underscores our advocacy for collaboration which has started yielding fruits
“I wish us all a successful seminar deliberation,” Price Obayendo added.

Similarly, the president of the Ajaokuta Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Bob Achanya, charged the government to strengthen the country’s transportation sector, looking at the pivotal role it plays in revenue generation.

The 4th Annual Workshop aims at Harnessing the Aviation, Railway, Marine, and Blue Economy sectors for sustainable transportation in Nigeria.