James Sowole in Abeokuta
The federal government is developing a national land transport policy, which has reached 80 per cent completion, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali , has said.
He disclosed this in Abeokuta, Ogun State in his speech at the opening of the Executive Session of the 18th National Council on Transportation Conference.
At the conference which drew participants and stakeholders in transport sector from the 36 states of the federation, the minister noted that the meeting was conveyed to consider issues of significant importance to the transportation sector with a view to aligning the sector.
Alkali said the policy draft, had reached 80 per cent completion, stating that the government, would invite necessary stakeholders to brainstorm and finalise the draft policy for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
According to the minister, this year’s theme: “Embracing Innovations and Technologies for Sustainable Transportation: Tackling the Energy Challenges’’ is a wakeup call to accept innovations to cushion the effect of energy challenges currently being experienced in the country and an eye opener to mitigate some climate change concerns
He said that with the policy, government would adopt a multifaceted approach to accelerate the adoption of a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions in the country.
In order to achieve the desired results, Alkali explained that there was need to modernise the country’s transportation systems by pioneering the frontier of green manufacturing and industrialisation with a focus on natural gas as a transition fuel alongside other renewable energy sources.
The minister also highlighted the need to prioritise innovative technologies in the transportation sector to mitigate energy challenges while promoting sustainability and economic growth.
Alkali also stressed the need for innovative technologies in the transportation sector to mitigate energy challenges while promoting sustainability and economic growth.
Alkali said: “There is also the need to engender innovative and transformative initiatives for the development of new renewable energy sources and smart city concepts and to consciously prioritise budgetary appropriation to tackle energy challenges.”
The minister also stressed the need to invest in research and development, training and retraining of personnel, acquiring state-of-the art technology where necessary, and supporting innovative ideas by collaborating with relevant government agencies.
He explained that the federal government had in recent years shown its commitment to implement policies and strategies to develop a safe, secure, affordable, and sustainable transport system in the country.
The minister added that the federal ministry of transportation had carried out notable technological advancements that would foster an environmentally and economically friendly transportation solution in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, noted that the theme of the conference indicated that the sector was fully cognisant of current challenges, realities, and limitations and ready to proffer sustainable solutions.
Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele , said that the transportation sector play a pivotal role in the sustainable growth and development of the nation and the state’s economy.
