Experts seek imporved transport infrastructure

Experts in the logistics and transport sector have called on the Federal Government to address the transport infrastructure gap in the country to enable the sector to contribute to the nation’s economic development.

They made the call at the Executive Stakeholders’ Forum organised by Abuja Branch of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), in Abuja. Mr Reynolds Shodeinde, Assistant Director of Administration, CILT, said poor transport infrastructure and low public investments in transport would lead to increased costs for firms to operate and also loss of attractiveness to investors.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has pledged to make the transportation sector the key pillar of its economic recovery and growth plan in the country. The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stated this in Abuja at the maiden edition of the Transportation and Logistics Excellence Awards (TLEA) organised by the Motor Vehicle Administration Academy under the umbrella of Temple Resources Nigeria Ltd.

The minister, who was represented by the director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration at the ministry, Dr. Anthonia Ekpa, said an adequate transportation system would help build a better economy. “Without transportation, you can’t revamp the economy. We now have the rail lines as a way of revamping the road sector.”

Convener of the award and CEO of Temple Resources, Prince Segun Obayendo, noted the growth in transportation across the country, stressing that stakeholders must be recognised to encourage them to do better.

In his remarks, the Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi, represented by ACM Victor Nwokolo, said the public/private partnership has enabled better understanding of road safety in the country.