Government to develop national transportation master plan

Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday disclosed that the Federal Government was developing a national transportation master plan to diversify the economy and improve non-oil sector revenues.

Amaechi disclosed this at a briefing after a tour of facilities at the Lagos Airport, saying the master plan would reduce unemployment and develop the rural economy.

Government is determined to fully exploit the potentials of the transport sector by opening it up for new investment, he said, saying if properly positioned “the transport sector holds the key to unlocking economic potentials for the country.”

He identified the problems of the sector to include bad roads, inadequate fleet and airplane services as well as congested ports.

According to the minister, “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is in the process of developing a national transportation master plan that will be implemented as a fulfilment of one of his campaign promises to diversify the national economy while improving non-oil sector revenues.”

While reducing dependence on oil revenues, it will also develop the rural economy, reduce unemployment and urban drift.

“The problems of Nigerian transport system include bad roads, inadequate fleet of buses and trucks; irregular and inadequate trains and airplanes services and congested ports. In line with these are physical problems such as the dearth of suitably trained transport managers and planners, capital restructuring bottlenecks, serious issues of institutional reforms and ineffective traffic regulations.

“The Buhari administration is determined to fully exploit the potentials in the transportation sector. As a first step, the government will pursue the enactment of legislation that will open up the sector to new investments that will lead to economic prosperity,” the minister said.

He spoke of plans to re-introduce rail lines that would assist in the movement of petroleum products by next year, noting that investment in rail transportation could generate over 250,000 direct jobs.

Amaechi said: “The movement of petroleum products by rail will be re-introduced in 2016. As you are aware, we have commenced and almost completed the narrow gauge rehabilitation, which will be retained for the movement of cargoes.

“At the same time, massive investments into the standard gauge to link most parts of the country with faster trains for passenger movements has begun. In 2016, we hope to complete work on the Abuja-Kaduna railway line as Mr. President is highly committed to it. Work will start in earnest on the standard gauge on many routes.”

On the aviation sector, he emphasised safety was not negotiable as he identified the challenges of the sector to include weak airlines and decaying infrastructure.

“The aviation industry in Nigeria has not been without its peculiar problems in the recent past which includes but not limited to weak airlines and decaying infrastructure.

“The ministry of transportation in collaboration with relevant parastatals and agencies have drawn up short term plans that are currently being implemented of which the travelling public will take notice of the improvements in the not distant future.

“These plans include the expeditious completion of on going airports remodelling projects at Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and the decongestion of airports access roads among several others. The new terminal in Lagos will generate additional 15 million passengers annually making a total of 30 million passengers yearly nationwide.

“The medium and long term plans will require significant investments to upgrade and expand infrastructures to meet current and future requirements. “As a result of limited resources for capital projects development, government is exploring the possibility of private sector participation to towards the realization of the industries’ potentials.

“The ministerial committee on the National Airline has submitted its report the President which the government is studying carefully and will announce its decision in due course.

“In June of this year, Nigeria scored 96.44 percent during the International Civil Aviation Security Audit. Despite this feat, the nation can ill afford to let its guards down considering recent events in the international scene where passenger airplanes have been blown out of the skies.