Nigerian transport experts have described Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as the most appropriate source of energy in attaining the nation’s goal to reduce carbon emissions across various transport modes.
This was highlighted by transportants at the ongoing 2022 Summit/ Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, themed “Sustainable Innovations in Global Logistics and Transport.”
In a bid to deploy sustainable innovative strategies for the logistics and transport sector and curb carbon emissions, whilst considering electricity limitations and challenges associated with other energy sources, transport stakeholders posited that LNG avails the nation more opportunities in attaining net-zero emissions.
The Principal Consultant, Genero Engineering Limited, Capt. Suleiman Baiyee, and the Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Charles Asenime shared these views during the Technical Session on ‘Decarbonization in Transport’.
Noting that Nigeria has enormous natural gas resources, these experts called for more investments, research and innovations towards the establishment of LNG powered vehicles and ships.
The Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (PCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin also supported this move even as he expressed worry that the nation is already decades behind as he recalled that in 2003 he first encountered a gas turbine vehicle in Europe when he opened the trunk of the vehicle at an airport to find a gas compartment.
During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo stressed that the current global trends in transportation is going green with emphasis on reducing the heavy dependence on fossil fuels, which leads to high levels of CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions.
Sambo, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Transportation, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed Biu, noted that the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to establish critical transport infrastructure to ensure sustainable transport and logistics in the country.
He also opined that the ongoing port reform programmes aim at decongesting the seaports by taking shipping and port services closer to importers and exporters, adding that measures are being put in place to ensure ease of doing business at the ports.
Speaking earlier, the National President, CILT Nigeria, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro assured that the conference has something for all participants; ranging from policy makers to legislators, transport and logistics operators, academia, lawyers, students, among others.
Usoro also described the theme of the conference as apt especially at a time the world is moving towards decarbonisation, sustainability principles in how logistics and transportation businesses are conducted.
While giving the keynote address, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi, said that transport infrastructure remains germane to the promotion of economic growth, improved standard of living, poverty reduction, enhanced productivity and competitiveness.
He, however, stated that in order to explore sustainable innovations for the logistics and transport sector, CILT should expand its network and partnerships to include Engineers and other professionals that will provide the needed skills and innovations.
Sarumi lamented that the nation remains plagued by huge infrastructural gaps that have hindered its desire to exploit her rich natural and human resources in transportation, but he expressed delight that the sector is currently undergoing major transformation in line with modern technological innovations.
Transport bigwigs who attended the event include; the President-Elect, CILT International, Chief Teete Owusu-Nortey; Former Continental President, African Women in Maritime (WIMAFRICA), Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN); Founder, Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), Hajia Aisha Ali-Ibrahim; Chairperson, Nigerian Ship-owners Forum, Barr. (Mrs.) Margaret Orakwusi; Chairman, Starz Group, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun; a former Acting Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa; among others.