Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Finalisation of the Draft National Transportation Policy (NTP) has recommended for the establishment of National Transport Commission and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The Chairperson of the committee, Mrs Mfon Usoro, made the recommendation, while submitting report of the committee to the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday in Abuja.
Usoro, who is also the Secretary-General, “Abuja MoU on Port State Control’’, said the proposed transport commission would serve as economic regulator for the transport industry when established.
According to her, the safety board will also serve as independent government accident investigation agency to conduct investigation of major accidents in the transport sub-sectors.
This according to her is necessary to modify the present institutional structure as well as the establishment of effective multi-sectoral institutional frame within existing organisational structures considering the critical nature of integration in the management of transportation.
“Other institutional arrangements proposed are mere administrative arrangements by way of multi-sectoral committees in the form of national Cabotage Coordination Committee (NCCC) with membership drawn from all the government agencies.
“The committee will have responsibility for oil and gas trade, transportation, development and expansion of indigenous fleet, business permit and expatriate quotas as well as marine safety and security.
“Other responsibilities are the inland waterways, international trade, seafarers, and representatives of ship owners association of Nigeria, cargo interests at both national and state levels,’’ she said.
The committee also recommended the setting up of Integrated Transport Policy Coordination Committee (ITPCC) to provide independent advice to government on the implementation of integrated transport policy.
Usoro said the committee would also monitor developments across transport, environment and other related sectors as well as reviewing progress towards meeting the policy objectives.
She said that the ITPCC would make recommendations to ministers and prepare an annual report on the implementation of the new approach towards meeting policy targets.
According to her, the strategic action plan proposes a series of actions to materialise the goals and strategy for the future of Nigeria’s transport industry for the period 2018 to 2028.
“It contains a number of short, medium and long-term actions designed to enhance the implementation of the policy objectives of the National Transport Policy.
“Adoption and implementation of the NTP by all tiers of government will lead to a stronger Nigerian economy and a profitable future for the entire transportation service sector,’’ she said.
While receiving the report, Amaechi commended the committee for a job well done, promising to proactively look into the report and come up with implementation plans.
Amaechi said he would coordinate the Permanent Sectary, Alhaji Sabiu Zakari and the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to thoroughly study the report to enable them give appropriate order for implementation.
He pledged that the ministry would do everything necessary to ensure full implementation of all its policies to reposition the country’s transport sector.
The committee was inaugurated by the minister in October after the 15th National Council on Transportation (NCT) held in Sokoto, Sokoto state in August.
Membership of the committee was drawn from public and private sector in the various fields of transportation including educational institutions and professional bodies.
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