…The National Land Transportation policy has also been described as a significant step towards effective, efficient, cheaper transportation alternative for Nigerians
THUR, MAR 21 2024-theGBJournal| At a gathering to review and validate the draft policy document of the National Land Transportation Policy (NLTP) Wednesday, stakeholders agreed with the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali that the birthing of the Policy, the first of its kind, will engender the transformation of the land transport sub- sector, which he identified as presently the weakest link in the whole transportation sector.
The National Land Transportation policy has also been described as a significant step towards effective, efficient, cheaper transportation alternative for Nigerians, and stakeholders agreed that the land transportation mode is the major linkage to social, regional, national, and international markets.
It is a policy designed to reduce congestion, improve connectivity in both urban and rural areas and foster a sustainable and inclusive Transport System.
In the draft policy, there is a broad overview of the existing situation of the Land Transportation – Rail, Road, Pipeline and its intermodal connectivity to inland Waterways, Seaports, and Airports in Nigeria.
It also provided policy responses to identified issues such as climate change, capacity building and knowledge generation, inclusive transportation as well as the designed implementation strategies that recognize interactions between the various transport modes.
While acknowledging the input of the stakeholders which include all actors in the transportation sector – operators, regulators, academia, as well as research institutes and others, the Minister described the validation of the draft document as essential and highly needed, in order to produce a document that will serve and foster sustainable growth for the transportation sub-sector and the nation at large.
The Minister had earlier remarked that “land transport sub-sector is the most-burdened in the transport and logistics value chain, hence the need for a policy that would engender and meet the goals of Nigerians.”
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola noted that development of the National Land Transport Policy (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.
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