The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has restated government’s commitment to enhance the capacity of the transportation sector toward improving citizen’s quality of life and contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Amaechi gave the assurance on Thursday in Lagos while speaking at a workshop organised by the Science, Energy and Technology Committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
The workshop was themed: “Capacity Building in the Transportation Industry vis-a-via the Maritime, Railway and Aviation sub-sectors.”
Amaechi, represented by Dr Sokonte Davies, Executive Director, Maritime and Operations, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), said the role of transport was key to the sustenance of the nation’s socio-economic development.
He said the government would continue to provide the needed support in the areas of investment, training and policies that would boost the growth of the sector.
He said the government was determined to revamp the railway sector with a view to enhancing national integration by encouraging mass transit of passengers and goods across the geographical regions of the country.
The minister urged the private sector to deepen its partnership with government toward improving infrastructure and capacity in the nation’s transportation sector.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, said the state would proffer the required solutions to the perennial traffic challenges, improve connectivity of bus and better waterways transport.
Speaking on the Apapa articulated trucks induced traffic gridlock, the commissioner said collaborative efforts with other stakeholders, especially the Federal Government and Nigeria Ports Authority, was the solution.
He said the state was working on building a truck Terminal Park at Ijora that would take about 5000 trailers and work with relevant agencies to ensure the success of the call-up system.
The president of LCCI, Babatunde Ruwase, said the theme of the workshop was germaine at this critical stage of the economy, and with the role of transportation to promote economic development.
“When the sector is vibrant, it provides economic and social opportunities with benefits that result in positive multiplier effects on the entire economy,” he said.
He said that it was necessary to provide an enabling environment with appropriate policy and legal frameworks, institutional and human resources development to increase the efficiency and social impact of transport sector.
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