The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali has said the National Land Transport Policy( NLTP) is one of the short term deliverables that would engender the transformation of the Land Transport Sub- Sector.
The minister disclosed this on Wednesday in his keynote address at the Stakeholders Validation Forum on Draft National Land Transport Policy in Abuja.
Alkali assured that the Policy will not in any way deter the finalisation of the National Transportation Policy, rather help to develop a vibrant land Transportation System.
“It is pertinent to inform you that the National Land Transport Policy is one of the short term deliverables that will engender the Transformation of the Land Transport Sub- Sector, which is currently the weakest link in the Transportation Sector, although, it is the most burdened in the Transport and Logistics value Chain.
“The urgent need to develop a National Land Transportation Policy (NLTP) arose because the land mode is the major linkage to social, regional, national and International Markets. It facilitates the realization of the Nation’s competitive advantage, connects people and distribute goods and Services. Land Transportation also has the potential to boost other areas such as Agriculture, Commerce, Tourism, Industry, Education, Blue Economy among others.
“I must emphasize that the National Land Transport Policy will not in any way deter the finalisation of the National Transportation Policy, but aims to develop a vibrant land Transportation System that will reduce congestion, improve connectivity in both urban and rural areas and foster a sustainable and inclusive Transportation System”, he said.
He added that the,” draft we are considering today gave a broad overview of the existing situation of the Land Transportation (Rail, Road, Pipeline and its intermodal connectivity to Inland Waterway, Seaports and Airports) in Nigeria. It also proffered Policy Responses to identified issues, introduced crosscutting issues such as Climate Change, Capacity Building and Knowledge Generation, Inclusive Transportation as well as designed implementation strategies that recognises interactions between the various transport mode,”he said .
He appealed to stakeholders and participants to, “give our all to validate a document that will stand the test of time, and build a transportation System that meets the needs of our people and advances the vision of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Nigerian Transportation Sector”.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola stated that the development of the NLTP has been a collaborative effort and driven by the critical role the sector plays in the socio-economic development of our nation.
He noted that understanding the complexities and challenges inherent in the transportation sector, the Ministry established a dedicated think-tank committee tasked with formulating a comprehensive policy framework.
Oloruntola urged all the stakeholders to critically evaluate the draft policy, adopt a forward-thinking approach, and should consider not only the immediate needs but also the long-term vision for transportation in Nigeria.
