The Federal Government has said the land transport sub-sector will witness massive transformation when the implementation of the National Land Transport Policy begins.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, disclosed this yesterday in a keynote address at the stakeholders’ validation forum, convened to review and to validate the draft policy document of the National Land Transportation Policy (NLTP), according to a statement on the Ministry’s website.
Alkali noted that the land transport sub-sector was presently the weakest link in the whole transportation and logistics value chain, hence the need for a policy that will engender its transformation, particularly, since it is the major linkage to social, regional, national, and international markets.
Alkali articulated the urgency of the validation exercise of the policy, and urged the stakeholders, to produce a document that will foster sustainable growth for the transportation sub-sector in Nigeria at large, so it can be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The statement emphasised transportation’s vital role in boosting sectors like agriculture, commerce, tourism, industry, education, and the blue economy. It stressed that the National Land Transport Policy’s successful implementation will guide the transportation sector to effectively drive growth in these areas.
Moreover, stakeholders from diverse backgrounds within the transportation sector – including operators, regulators, academia, research institutes, and others – acknowledged their responsibility in validating the draft NLTP policy.
They recognised the importance of pooling together their varied perspectives, expertise, and insights to shape the policy into a comprehensive framework to address the multifaceted challenges confronting land transportation system in the country.
“It is a policy that will reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity in both urban and rural areas and foster a sustainable and inclusive Transport System,” the stakeholders highlighted.
The draft policy provides a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s land transportation system, including rail, road, pipeline, and intermodal connectivity to waterways, seaports, and air travels through airports.
It addresses key issues such as climate change, capacity building, inclusive transportation, and implementation strategies recognising interactions between transport modes.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the NLTP’s development, stressing its importance for the nation’s socio-economic growth.
He emphasized the Ministry’s establishment of a dedicated think-tank committee to formulate the policy framework and urged stakeholders to evaluate it critically, considering both immediate needs and long-term vision for Nigerian transportation.
