Minister of Transportation, Senator Ahmed Alkali, has pledged to undertake the modernisation, rehabilitation, planning and development of the rail transport sector with efficient security.
Alkali, who resumed duty yesterday in Abuja, said he would support the primary purpose of government and maximise the potential in the recent constitution alterations that moved rail transport services from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List.
The new minister, who was received by the Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, and other directors in the ministry, assured that the ministry would assume a leading role in improving the public transportation sector to support the numerous policies geared towards providing democratic dividends to ordinary Nigerians through effective, secure and affordable public transport system.
He said: “The Ministry of Transportation was primarily established to facilitate the provision of public transport services and effective coordination of all the agencies and institutions under the ministry. We will strive to ensure the realisation of its mandate and the mandates of agencies under its jurisdiction.”
“This endeavour will assist to harness the resources of the nation, promote national prosperity and dynamic self-reliant economy that will actualise the ‘Renewed Hope’ of the present administration’s developmental agenda of ensuring an efficient transport system consistent with the socio-economic objectives of the Constitution.”
In furtherance of sincere commitment to the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, Alkali expressed his resolve to ensure effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation of performance of all the departments of the ministry and the agencies to meet operational standard, judicious expenditure and optimal productivity.
“I will also ensure a sustainable collaboration with related ministries, agencies and corporate entities to reactivate the road transport and mass transit operations in the country,” he said.
To realise the government’s aspiration, the minister pledged to support the provision of conducive environment and maintain zero tolerance to indiscipline, laxity, inefficiency and any form of misconduct in the discharge of his official responsibilities.
