By Henry Oladele
The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate existing petroleum pipelines and establish new ones for effective fuel distribution.
The Chairman of the Seventh National Transport Conference Planning Committee, Prof. Samuel Odewumi, made the appeal at a virtual news conference.
The conference was to announce resolutions made at the conference.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised by CIOTA on Nov. 3 in Abuja.
It had the theme: ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models For Global Competitiveness’.
Odewumi said that among the resolutions made at the conference was that the Federal Government should ensure transport of clean fuel.
“The government should rehabilitate its existing pipeline for petroleum products distribution and increase investment in the development of new pipelines.
“This is to facilitate nationwide distribution network of auto gas to strengthen sustainable, affordable and secure transportation of clean fuel.
“This is in line with the nation’s signed commitment to net-zero emission by 2035 and 2060 thresholds.
“CIOTA reaffirms its role in professional certification, advocacy and sector leadership. and calls for institutional transparency and regulatory coherence for sustainable transport infrastructure development.”
He added that the conference resolved that there was need to collaborate with transport unions to deepen transport education and training in Nigeria.
“This will improve productivity, operational efficiency, effectiveness and professional ethics.
“CIOTA should also collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure public enlightenment and effective implementation of the National Land Transport Policy and the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
“This will enhance and modernise the country’s transport system,” he said.
He said that the conference noted that only Lagos, Kano and Kaduna states had transport policies, and called on other states to develop their transport policies to guide the development of the transport sector.
“The conference highlighted the need for multi-modal integration – connecting road, rail, air, maritime and inland waterways to boost efficiency, reduce logistics costs and position Nigeria in global supply chains.
“There is a determination by CIOTA to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transport to develop and implement Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport System across the nation.
“This partnership will help to modernise Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability, and align the nation’s transport operations with global standards.
“There is a need for the government to establish a Road Transport Management Authority to plan and manage the orderly development of the mode, which is responsible for more than 90 per cent of the sector’s mobility needs,” he said.
He said CIOTA was ready and willing to assist with developing transport policy for the government at all levels through its special-purpose consultancy outfit.
“The conference advised the government to speedily release funds to complete all ongoing and abandoned rail projects to effectively address operational challenges in Nigeria’s rail sector.
“The government should streamline issuance of driver’s licence and strengthen driver education and training institutions in Nigeria,” he added.
He said that the conference also noted that there was need for CIOTA and governments to collaborate to strengthen implementation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategies.
“This is for transport infrastructure development and sustainability.
“There is a need for governments and transport operators to increase investment in transport innovative and security infrastructure, especially by deploying cybersecurity systems and biometric scanners.
“This is to reduce transport crime in the transport space, vandalism of rail, drug trafficking in our airports, and kidnapping and other crimes on the road,” he said.
NAN reports that the conference chaired by Gov. Sani Uba of Kaduna State had more than 450 participants. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
