In order to checkmate importation of new and used buses into the country’s automobile market, the newly inaugurated implementation committee for mass transit scheme has been urged to leverage on the opportunity to encourage local bus manufacturing in the country.
The Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga gave the directive while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, last week.
The Committee which has Aganga as its Chairman will report to the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo on a monthly basis.
In order to checkmate importation of new and used buses into the country’s automobile market, the newly inaugurated implementation committee for mass transit scheme has been urged to leverage on the opportunity to encourage local bus manufacturing in the country.
The Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga gave the directive while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, last week.
The Committee which has Aganga as its Chairman will report to the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo on a monthly basis.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Dr Dauda Kigbu, the minister said that by encouraging local bus manufacturing, the country will create additional Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, which will in turn create jobs and generate wealth for the economy.
"Maintenance and supply of spare parts is also more assured with local bus suppliers. This initiative is just the beginning of a robust, enduring, self-sustaining and integrated mass transit system that will incorporate a strong partnership among the three tiers of government to achieve affordability in mobility," he explained.
He said the committee would produce an implementable plan to develop a long-lasting mass transit programme for the country.
"There have been many mass transit interventions in the past, but these were short-lived and recorded only modest achievements due to a variety of factors such as limited funding, policy inconsistency, poor choice and maintenance of vehicles. A particular limiting factor was the absence of effective framework to anchor the programme, especially at the state level," Aganga added.
The terms of reference of the committee include the development of a roadmap for the widespread inter-urban and rural mass transport systems, creating an environment for successful, sustainable private sector involvement in operations and manufacturing, development of skills base in formal mass transit operations and encouraging the development of the required infrastructure and pilot routes, among others.
Members of the Committee include representatives from the Office of the Vice-President, National Automotive Council, Federal Ministry of Transport, Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association, Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Urban Development Bank and National Union of Road Transport Workers.
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