The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, has said the University of Transportation, Daura will begin session in January 2024. The Minister said the University has got its approval letter issued by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in October.
He stated this yesterday in Lagos at the second annual National Transport Technology Conference and Exhibition titled “Accelerating the Development of Technology for Smarter, Safer and Sustainable Transport System in Nigeria.”
According to the Minister, the university will offer 14 programmes catering to the transportation industry and related fields.
Alkali, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation and Coordinating Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Mrs. Magdalene Ajani, said as government intensifies efforts to proffer a lasting solution to its dwindling economy and relieve itself from heavy burden from budget for infrastructure development, liberalisation of the railway and other transportation sectors is considered essential.
He said as part of efforts to resuscitate and implement railway and other related transportation infrastructure in the country, this administration developed a suitable funding plan that would fast track the strategic plan for integrated transportation infrastructure development.
In his speech, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state understand the pivotal role that transportation plays in shaping the lives of people and the prosperity of communities.
He said it is both the backbone and the bloodstream of the economy, connecting diverse society and propelling the state towards progress.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said in a bid to reduce traffic congestion and resolve key gridlock points, the state introduced the Traffic Management Intervention Plan (TMIP) for 60 identified Junctions/Corridors.
So far, he said about 41 junctions have been completed, work is ongoing at some junctions, while some are at the conceptual stage.
“We have also continued to decongest traffic by connecting more communities with new link roads, bridges and providing intelligent transport systems to optimize the transport network,” he said.
Earlier in her remarks, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum (NTCF), Mrs. Chinwe Uwaegbute, said Nigeria’s transportation sector holds immense potentials, but its development has been hindered by haphazard and inadequate regulations.
She said in the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum efforts to turn things around, key discussion topics have been judiciously selected for the conference.
Uwaegbute said the summit will significantly feature a sub-summit dedicated to the development of rail transportation at the sub-national level.
According to her, with rail transportation now on the concurrent legislative list, a sub-national collaboration in developing rail transport systems has become imperative. This collaborative effort will help reduce the burden on our roads and decrease road accidents.
