By Ijeoma Nwankpa, Abuja.
Stakeholders in the transportation sector say strengthening of Nigeria’s transportation sector will go a long way in boosting Nigeria’s economy.
The Guest Speaker, Chief Economic Adviser, Cross River State and Former Private Sector Specialist at the African Development Bank, Dr Francis Ntamu, stated this in Abuja at the 2022 annual seminar of the Abuja Transportation and Aviation Correspondents Association, ATACA.
Dr Ntamu in his presentation, did a comparison between the economic growth in Ethiopia, Egypt South Africa and Nigeria, with Ethiopia having the highest growth rate which he attributed to a robust air and rail transport system.
He however called on government to dredge Nigeria’s port so create room for larger vessels which would increase job creation and revenue generation for the country.
“The transportation sector in Nigeria is growing but Nigeria as a nation still has to do more to catch up in modern transportation systems.
“We have seen the integrated model transportation system of some African Nations like Ethiopia, Egypt and how it has impacted on their economic development,”
The Guest speaker also urged government at federal and state levels to increase investment and collaboration in the sector as part of the strategy to salvage the nation’s troubled economy.
According to him, collaboration between the Ministries, Agencies, international and local investors is key to achieving results in the transportation sector.
On the maritime, Dr Ntamu listed interventions in the maritime sector with catalytic impact on Nigeria’s socio-economic recovery to include; the Badagry Port (16m)–Upcoming with renewed commitment from Lagos State Government; Olokola Port(17m)–some governance and implementation delays; Agaie Port(16m)–preparation phase; Lekki Port(16.5m)-Over 95% completion achieved. Ready for commercial take-off in 2023; Ibom Port(16.5m)–Financial close achieved. Pre-construction phase; Gelegele River Port–Edo State; and Burutu Port -Delta State.
On the aviation sector, he noted that the Nigerian Air has massive opportunity for national economic transformation with significant expected development outcomes.
“If we look at the railway construction going on almost all over the country, it has contributed to the country’s GDP despite some challenges.
“So also the Maritime sector is not left behind. The Deep Blue seaport project, the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure which was implemented in 2018 to curb Maritime insecurity in Nigeria and Gulf of Guinea and the provision of modern Technology facilities in Nigerian Ports for smooth Operations are all commendable.”
On his part, the Minister of State for Transportation, Mr Ademola Adewole commended the ATACA members for bringing to the front burner issues in the sector for national discourse and assured Nigerians that Government would do more in providing infrastructural development in the sector.
Also, the Chairman of the event and former Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amechi, represented by Honourable Biokpo Awara, said the Nigerian government had achieved a lot in transforming Nigeria’s transportation system and urged the citizens to make good use of them.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of ATACA, Chris Agabi, stated that the Seminar was part of the Association’s efforts to bring stakeholders to discuss strategies through which the transportation sectors would rescue the Nigerian economy.
He appreciated various stakeholders in the sector for their contribution to the growth of transport and aviation in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the President of Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Association Of Nigeria (ROMAN), Alhaji Olusola Sotayo, called on government to regulate rather than ban Okada riders as they contribute to the economic growth and reduce the crime rate by providing gainful employment for youths.
The seminar was organised with the aim to discuss critical areas in Aviation, Rail and Maritime sectors as tools for economic development in Nigeria with the theme ““Nigeria’s Troubled Economy: Aviation, Rail, Maritime As Rescue Sectors”.
ATACA also launched its magazine, which focuses on the economic development of transportation and aviation industry in Nigeria.
