The federal government is concluding plans to have the national transport policy in place as final meetings were recently postponed amid the ongoing politicking, especially the presidential primaries.
Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Transportation, revealed this at the maiden edition of the National Transport Technology Conference and Exhibition (NTTCE), even as she expressed optimism that the transport document will be ready after ongoing presidential primaries.
Ajani was reacting to queries on the absence of a National Transport Policy and the consequence on the nation’s transportation sector raised by Prof. Iyiola Oni in the lead paper presentation and the Corps Marshall of Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Opeyemi.
The Permanent Secretary, who also represented the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, described the NTTCE as an ideal platform to deliberate on modalities to deliver efficient, safe and cost-effective transport system via judicious utilization of technology.
Stressing that Nigerians thirst for a well-structured sustainable, seamless and environmentally friendly transport system, Saraki opined that the event’s theme: “Multimodality and Accessibility: Achieving a Greener Transport System in Nigeria” was apt.
Her words: “Multimodal transport and transit systems can provide an array of options for passenger and freight transport and successfully connect citizens and countries while supporting economic growth, social development and global trade; however, emphasis should be placed on low-carbon-based energy modes of transport and an increased reliance on public transport systems.”
“It is worthy to note that the use of multimodal transport implies overall structural changes covering new trade and transport practices. However, various measures are needed to implement multimodal transport, from the streamlining of commercial regulations to the development of transport infrastructure such as; provision of alternative transport corridors, availability of Trade Free Zone, construction of Inland Container Dry Ports, Provision of Industrial Parks, National Carriers etc.”
She also added the the current administration is focused on linking the various modes of available transportation to strengthen the intermodal movement of freights and passengers, improve the safety, convenience, travel time and cost of transportation within Africa with corresponding reduction in carbon/particulate emissions and reduction in loss of lives.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated that the state plans to integrate road, rail and water modes of transportation to make movement of people, goods and services across the state more effective and efficient.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State government, Mrs. Sherifat Folashade Jaji, said: “these modes of transportation, would be synchronized in a manner that would make movement fluid, save time and money. We have remained resolute in our intention to complete existing projects such as the blue and red rail line systems, which are part of the inter-modal transportation system we set out in the strategic transport master-plan.”
He observed that the state has fared better in managing road transportation with Intelligent Traffic Signal Lights providing solutions to traffic prone junctions and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology deployed across the metropolis to improved the compliance rate of vehicle documentation.
“Traffic Management Solution (TMS) has reduced human interface on traffic law violation and accurate vehicle roadworthy exercise are now conducted within few minutes through the use of Computerized Vehicle Inspection Centers. In order for us to effectively harness the economic advantage in the system, we now operate a centralized COWRY Card payment system for all modes of public transportation across the state. This allows commuters to travel to any destination within the state with any of the three modes of transportation and pay the fare with the same card,” he added.
