Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki has solicited the support of the Kaduna State Government to develop the Intelligence Transport System Centre in the state.
This, she said is to ensure continuous and sustainable sourcing and integration of transport technology solutions and data sourcing in Nigeria
Saraki made the appeal when she paid a courtesy call on Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai on Thursday in Kaduna.
The minister, who was on a working visit to the Institute of Transport Technology Zaria, also urged the state government to support the development of the National Transport Data bank, aimed at generating the required data on the transport system in the country.
“We appeal to you to continue to patronize the Institute for the training and retraining of staff of the state government,” she said.
She said that the visit was an opportunity for her as the supervising minister, to see the progress made by the institute towards implementing Federal Government policies and programmes especially as it affects the transport and logistics sector of the economy.
Saraki also said that her ministry has the strong belief that the NITT would play an important role in the implementation of the policies and programmes of the administration in the transport sector.
“This is why the agency is being given all the necessary support to carry out its mandate of providing the required training for the employees and stakeholders in the industry and conduct sustainable and basic research that will lead to the growth and development of the industry,” she said
The minister added that the visit would afford her the opportunity to see where the ministry will assist the NITT for the effective discharge of its responsibilities.
According to her, the Ministry of Transportation was poised to ensure the completion of all projects in the transport sector started by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
She said so far, the successes recorded were vividly clear to all Nigerians, as the administration strive to provide exponential increase in infrastructural development.
The minister also noted that the transport sector is a key component in the development of the country, as mobility is pivotal to the whole of society, and underpins the economy.
“Transport connectivity across local, regional and national areas provides access to jobs, education, marketing and leisure, among many other things,” she added.
She also said that apart from the revitalization of the rail transport system which was in a comatose state for years, the federal government has invested in roads and ports development.
Saraki commended the numerous efforts of the Kaduna state government in improving the transport sector, through the provision of good road networks, not only in Kaduna township but across the major local government areas.
She thanked Gov. El-Rufai for the support to NITT and approving the allocation of 80 hectares of land for Jatropha plantation for the production of biofuel, to reduce dependence on petroleum products for vehicles.
Saraki also appreciated the state government for commissioning the NITT to conduct research on Registration of Commercial Vehicles and Drivers in Kaduna State,Transport Regulations, and Transport Infrastructure Facilities as well as training of the state traffic officials.
Responding, Gov. El-Rufai provided an update on the state’s initiatives in the transport sector while appreciating the NITT for the robust transport system in the state.
He said that the state is planning to have a light rail system and will work with NITT on the study, as well as the bus rapid transport system.
El-Rufai reassured the minister of the state government support to NITT and pledged to work closely with the institute in the development of the national transportation data bank and all other areas.
He appreciated the services being rendered by the Kaduna-Abuja rail line and appealed to the ministry to increase the frequency of the train services.
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