Oluyinka Onigbinde
Stakeholders in the transportation sector have urged the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) never to get tired of asking the government to create an enabling environment for Ease of Doing Business in the country.
The stakeholders who spoke during the 4th National Transport Summit of the institute, also urged CIoTA to migrate from words to action, stating that deliberations at the summit if not well-structured with follow-up strategy, and recommendations might follow the path of earlier ones, which produced no result.
Speaking specifically, the Chairman board of the MTN Nigeria, who is also the chairman of the 2022 summit, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, said the Institute must never get tired of asking the government to create the enabling environment to ease the development of transportation business in Nigeria.
He noted that the transportation sector is huge and getting bigger all over the world, Nigeria Included; be it airways, road, railways or waterways.
He said for CIoTA to have clout, the Institute must have put in place functional internal structures based on solid and stable leadership, effective intra and inter Institute communication, teamwork and network, for fulfilling results.
According to him, “the theme for this year is “Transport Safety and Security Administration in Nigeria”. The theme is timely and certainly the deliberations will be deep and fit for purpose.
“However, in the absence of a well-structured follow-up strategy, these resolutions and recommendations might follow the path of earlier ones, gathering dust in forgotten bureaucratic shelves.
“By now, it can be justifiably assumed that the institute has instituted such procedures, processes and programmes as would turn the institute to a real heavyweight institution that commands attention, respect and trust from government and relevant influence centres in national governance and discourse, especially in matters of transport administration.
“To have clout, the institute must have put In place functional internal structures based on solid and stable leadership, effective intra and inter Institute communication, teamwork and network, for fulfilling results. The nation needs a strong, well-coordinated institute like the CIOTA. Let us remember that if an Institute is big enough, it will always be bigger than its problems.
“The Institute must never get tired of asking the government to create an enabling environment to ease the development of transportation business in Nigeria. The Transportation sector is huge and getting bigger all over the world, Nigeria Included, whether it be Airways, Roadways, Railways or waterways.
Also speaking while giving his goodwill address, the Chief of Army staff Lt. Gen. Faruq Yahaya reiterated that transportation is key to human existence as man will naturally explore his environment and satisfy his curiosity, Therefore, transportation constitutes a significant factor in the sustainable development of any country, society or a nation, he posited.
Yahaya who was represented by Major General E. Akerejola, Director Nigerian Army Logistics, however said the recent attacks by non-state actors and other criminal elements have brought a new dimension to transportation challenges in the country, adding that over the years, the transportation sector has witnessed series of issues and challenges, ranging from poor infrastructure, poor regulations, limited specialised professional training institutions, lack of effective and efficient transport policies, intra industry squabbles among transport professionals to unethical behaviours, poor working conditions amongst others.
He said: “The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria has indeed chosen an important aspect of the transportation sector which has often been overlooked by many including the transport professionals.
Over the years, the transportation sector has witnessed series of issues and challenges ranging from poor infrastructure, poor regulations, limited specialised professional training institutions, lack of effective and efficient transport policies, intra-industry squabbles among transport professionals to unethical behaviours, poor working conditions amongst other”.
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“The recent attacks by non-state actors and other criminal elements have brought a new dimension to transportation challenges in our country. The effects of all these issues and challenges are better imagined. Despite this myriad of challenges, I am highly optimistic that this year’s Summit would among others afford the transportation professionals the opportunity to adequately address these challenges in all ramifications to the benefits of all Nigerians” he said.
Speaking earlier, the outgoing President of CIoTA and Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, while listing the achievements of the institute under his watch said during his tenureship, the license for the association was approved, he said there was renewed advocacy, vigorous membership drive, including certification and advocacy.
He added that CIoTA under his watch was able to organise eventful and impactful annual summits, Law Review among others.
Jamoh, who was represented by Prof. Samuel Odewunmi, also listed his challenges to include the challenge of marrying his responsibilities as DG of NIMASA with that of headship of CIoTA. “I could not extricate myself from the heavy responsibility of national assignment. I would have loved to deepen membership, advocacy and Training.
“Getting head and Zonal Offices were part of our priority. Get Abuja Office; Zonal Offices, We would have loved to trigger all the provisions conferred by the CIOTA statue”, he said
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