Nigeria to develop National Road Transport Master plan to foster economic growth

Nigeria is developing a National Road Transport Master Plan, to develop a comprehensive long-term Blueprint for road transportation in the country.

The Minister of State Transportation Senator Gbemisola Saraki said this at the Federal ministry of Transportation and Nigeria’s Transportation commissioners forum annual retreat 2021, themed “Developing and Fostering Synergy in the Management of Sustainable Transport Policies”.

She said the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to improving transportation infrastructure and services, in order to meet the needs of Nigerians and the economy.

Senator Saraki added that improving Transportation Infrastructure and services is one of the priorities of this administration as part of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The minister noted that “Nigeria’s transportation sector has for long been under significant strain with adverse impact on the country’s economic development.

“It is our firm belief that the Road Transport sector can be a big contributor to national GDP, an enabler of economic growth and source of millions of jobs” she said “if properly harnessed”.

Challenges in the transportation sector

The Chairperson of Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum, Rahamatu Yar’adua said the retreat will address some of the challenges in the Transportation sector and proffer solutions for the safety of lives and property.

She added ” The Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum has been striving to change the narrative of Transportation system since inception. The Forum gives way for an effective, productive, efficacious advocacy and replication of the global best practices in the transportation sector. This will create an enabling environment for sector operators and enhance security and safety”. 

Similarly the Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transportation, Senator Gyang Istafanus said “the forum provides the nation a veritable platform to discuss, address, review and assess the workability, variability, functionality, efficiency of policies, plans and programs that have direct bearing on the Transportation Sector and it’s role in nation building and national development.

“I am glad to note from the keynote address of the chairman of this forum and Commissioner from Niger State that the concept of smart city Transportation management system is already being implemented in some States. I’ll urge the replication in all States of the federation for safety in our streets and high ways” he said.

Call for review of exclusive list

He said it is necessary for the forum to align her thoughts with the call for the review of the exclusive list in the constitution to allow for participation and involvement of States in railway Transportation.

Permanent secretary Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani urged the forum to explore innovative and transformative initiatives that will help improve the road Transport Subsector for optimum performance and enhance productivity.

She enjoined key players in the Subsector to put in their best with a view to coming up with implementable policies and recommendations in line with global best practices.

Representing Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, Mr Afam Umbanefor advised the forum to conceptualize a drive control mechanism of unified control, to bring about a smart way of working to synergise and develop the Transportation Sector and make it more efficient.

Representing Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, Commissioner of commerce and industry, Mustapha Jibril said Niger State is key to Transportation in Nigeria, as it has the largest land, mass, height, length of federal roads and it gave birth to 60 percent of the Federal Capital Territory. He urged government to look into the Baro port as a lot more needs to done.

Emmanuel Ukoh