GTP’s Launch: Stakeholders highlight how to revitalize Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure
By Ovie Edomi
The public presentation of Global Transport Policy, GTP, and experts discussion at Marriott hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, provided a forum for Dr Alban Igwe, the keynote speaker to declare that Nigeria is suffering from Transport poverty.
However before Dr Igwe’s keynote address which gave fillip to the panelists on the direction to go with the discourse, Dr Oluwasegun Musa, Chairman/Chief Consultant, GTP, a Bilingual Magazine whose first edition was being presented to the public, noted that prioritizing strategic policy intervention, Nigeria can lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth, job creation and improved quality of life for all Nigerians.
Furthermore Dr Musa stated that the development of robust transportation networks is not merely about connecting cities and regions, it is about laying the foundation for sustained economic growth, societal advancement and global competitiveness. He further observed that ” the mere existence of transportation network is not sufficient”. He observed that what catalyzes economic growth is the strategic intervention of policies designed to optimize these networks, ensuring efficiency, sustainability and inclusivity.
Musa argued that together, all Nigerians can unlock the full potentials of the Nigeria’s economy and propel the nation towards a brighter future. Hence he called for establishment of a comprehensive multi-model transport system that enhances connectivity within and beyond Nigeria’s borders to amplify the benefits of Africa Continental Free Trade, AFCFTA to boost Africa trade.
The magazine’s Publisher further noted that the Roundtable will chart a strategic roadmap for the transport industry and thus foster the long needed economic growth adding that the core thrust of the Roundtable, is ‘Transport infrastructure and Strategic Policy Intervention : Building Blocks for Ecoomic growth’ this he said aptly captures the Magazine’s outcry.
The Governor of Lagos State,Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by Oluwaseun Osinyemi, the Lagos State Transport Commissioner noted that Lagos State is steadfast in its’ resolve to build a model transport system.
In his keynote address, Dr Igwe, a global Transport specialist noted that poverty is not only about lack of money in the pocket but poverty of the mind and idea. According to him ” Today Nigeria is a transport poor country, a nation without a shipping line, a country without a transport policy” Furthermore Dr Igwe emphasized on the urgent need to create a platform for the private sector to thrive by harnessing their potentials Hence he emphasized on the need for government to develop infrastructure in order to create connectivity for investment opportunities in the industry, stating that an integrated and sustainable transport policy can increase rail capacity before the end of 2025.
As for why Nigeria is transport poor he listed the following indices, namely: lack of national policy, lack of national bus service, poor safety performance, lack of national airline, lack of national shipping line and inadequate infrastructure.
To become a transport rich country Dr Igwe observed that Nigeria should pursue a sustainable transport policy,develop the nation’s human capital, engage in transport research among others. The Global Transport expert equally predicted that a Nigeria transport policy is possible in 6 months. Curiously, Dr Igwe observed that if the CVFF is deployed, what is in the nation’s coffees can buy 18 ships at the rate of 20 million dollars per ship.
At the panel session, the focus was on transport Infrastructure and regional integration, the panelists who were all transport experts stated that a transport policy was needed for the country. Other areas that the panelists mentioned were professionalism of the transport sector, the need for a political will to rejuvenate the nation’s transport sector for greater growth, a need for inter- model transport system, investing in training and research as well as the need to employ professional transporters in every ministry.
The event attracted the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Transport Commissioner, Hon Oluwaseun Osinyemi, the Chief of Naval Staff, who was represented by Commodore RT Oladejo, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, who was represented by Mr Henry Ageve, Mr Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of the occasion, Dr Mrs Ugboma, chair person of the panel session, Mr Fola Tinubu, Dr Abedotun Ibrahim Abdu, Rector, Yaba Tech, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Dr Boniface Aniebonum, founder, NAGAFF among others.
According to a representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, the event marks the beginning of a new beginning. Meanwhile, whether policy makers will implement the communique at the end of the roundtable remains to be seen. For now Dr Oluwasegun Musa, Chairman, GTP has put the matter in the front burner.
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