Oluyinka Onigbinde
Checks by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) will be spending a whopping N1.8 billion on the removal of water hyacinth, clearing of floating debris, as well as the construction of office accommodation for the Ministry, among others in 2023. This is according to the details of the 2023 budget appropriation bill cited by our correspondent.
Our correspondent gathered that the ministry will be spending N1.2 billion on the construction of office accommodation for the ministry, while the sum of N270 million has been earmarked for ships’ spare parts and maintenance.
Also for clearing of floating debris, water hyacinth wastes at the Oworonshonki, Ijegun, Port Novo creeks, Oyingbo, Ebute Ipakodo creeks to Ikorodu and Epe waters, the ministry has also budgeted N35 million
The MoT 2023 budget also included procurement of firefighting equipment that will cost N95 million, this is even as the ministry also budgeted the total sum of N150 million for the implementation and sustainability plan of the enterprise content management system.
Some of the other budget include the implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (CABOTAGE Act) 2003 and the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) – N40 million, the Monitoring and Evaluation of capital projects by the ministry – N100 million, the Purchase of office furniture and equipment – N85 million, Ports Management Of West & Central Africa (PMAWCA) – N150 million, Special Intervention Programmes and Initiatives in the sector- N200 million among others.
Meanwhile, a transport expert, Joseph Adelugba has faulted the budget for the various agencies under the transport ministry.
Adelugba speaking in Lagos on the sideline of the recently held Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport 2022 conference, described the budget for automation in various agencies as poorly designed and would amount to a failure since they are automating individually and not seeing what others are doing.
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He urged the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, to coordinate a single automation process for all the agencies under him for national security, efficiency and cost-saving benefits.
According to him, the real benefit of automation is when all agencies and stakeholders in the ports are integrated into a single window platform.
Adelugba also advised Sambo to emulate and integrate into the Lekki Deep Seaport automation, being promoted by Tolaram Group, saying this is the best the country is having presently.
He lauded the rapidly spreading technological advancement emplaced in the Lekki Deep Seaport, which has spread into the Lagos Free Zone as a feat worthy of emulation and integration nationwide.
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