Experts Press For Sustainable Transport Policy, Harp On Cleaner Energy, Electric Vehicles, MVAA, Others

By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos

The enactment of a holistic national policy on transportation will help drive Nigeria’s ambition for sustainable transportation, a specialist has advocated.

Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed the view while delivering talk at the 11th annual Nigeria Transport Day Lecture which took place in Lagos on Thursday.

The theme of his presentation is, “Sustainable Transportation System in Nigeria: A Path to Economic Prosperity.”

Opeifa called for a new strategic national rail transportation and logistics masterplan to drive rail transportation in the country.

The Nigerian Railway boss explained that though Nigeria is not performing poorly on sustainable mobility indices, the sector could achieve more with a proper framework for sustainable Mass Transit operations.

He called for a review of the current integrated infrastructure masterplan, as well as an integrated strategic transportation masterplan that will encompass rail, water, air and road by all the state governments.

He pointed out that also critical for sustainable transportation across the country are the establishment of motor vehicle administration, (MVAA), a Driver Licensing Administration Agency (DLAA), and a functional Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), and Driver Training Institute by all the state governments.

Opeifa who drew a nexus between sustainable transportation and Sustainable Development Goals, urged all state governments and other stakeholders to continue to prioritize accessibility, affordability, inclusion, efficiency and environmental responsibility.

He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for daring to free scarce resources wasted on fuel subsidy, the harmonization of the currency exchange rates and other reforms, all of which in just two years have set the tone for more impact on the transportation sector.

He said: “The unprecedented investment in rail infrastructure, revitalisation of the national rail transportation especially the railing with States and freights by rail revolution and supporting states with grants for rail system infrastructure in just two years of the administration thereby setting the pace for more impact in the transportation sector.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the convener and Publisher of Transport Day Lecture, Frank Kintum, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the compressed natural gas initiative which is setting a new tone for the deployment of newer energy to replace fossil fuel.

Kintum said Nigeria cannot be left behind in the march towards the adoption of cleaner energy, especially electric vehicle for the transportation and mobility.

Other speakers on the occasion include Engr. Akin George Fashola, Director, Vehicle Inspection Services, Lagos State, representative of Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Professor Charles Asemine of School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos who said: Transport is the lifeline of anything, as well as representatives of Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).