The Nigerian Youth Congress and its stakeholders have called for a safer transportation system that will be devoid of accidents and insecurity in the country.
The call was made at a one-day National Transportation, Environment and Public Safety Summit organized by the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) with the theme: “Urban Transport Endemics: The Social Engineering Polemic for Maintenance, Safety and Security in Nigeria,’’ which was held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, stated that the government is working tirelessly in tackling security challenges currently bedevilling the country.
The Minister noted that no country in the world can have a meaningful development and growth when there is no peace, so also security and the transport sector is not an exception.
He vowed that there would not be a repeat of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack in the country.
He said: “You would have observed that there is a synergy between the paramilitary and the military agencies in Nigeria. You know, they are tackling the insecurity that is confronting the country presently. We’re taking the fight headlong and I’m sure from the news of what the military and the paramilitary agencies involved in this fight are doing to the terrorists and the bandits.
“We are looking at safety in the area of transportation, one of the major means of transportation from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked and the government of the country and the Minister of Interior has said never will such happen again. Never again will such happen again, all security agencies, are coming together to ensure that we stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria.’’
The Consular Political, South African High Commission in Nigeria, Ambassador Thabang Malope, in his address, stated that the transportation sector if properly organized, it will provide jobs for African youths.
In his remark, the President, Nigerian Youth Congress, Blessing Akinlosotu stated that the seminar is aimed at reviewing the various challenges bedevilling the transportation, environment and public safety systems with a view to proffer viable local solutions to the sectors in the country.
“We are passionately advocating that all Stakeholders including Government, International Bodies, Private Institution and Practitioners in Nigeria should endeavour to come together and work in harmony for the safety of the citizen of Nigeria.”
He therefore urged all relevant Agencies of Government in Nigeria and beyond to be proactive towards developing the transport system, solving environmental challenges and securing the lives and property.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary General of the NYC, Dr. Raymond Edoh.
commended the president Mohammadu Buhari led administration for its tremendous success in transportation sector, must especially rail way but lamented that many cannot plight a section of it due to insecurity.
Edoh stated that transportation and human mobility are fundamental aspects of the modern day society.
“Efficient and healthy transportation systems that consider the wellbeing of populations are a desired and needed goal of every citizen of a any nation.
“There is need for safety of lives, environment, the economy as we enhance transportation activities and explore other transportation models that the government has not, in order to reduce the over burden on Road transportation which as a result of that led to lots of loss of lives,” he said.
