CIOTA Sets To Achieve Integration of Transportation Modes At Abuja Summit

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By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) has assured that its 2019 National Transport Summit billed to hold in Abuja next month will address the integration of the various modes of transportation in Nigeria and chat a way forward for various transport challenges.


Speaking at a press briefing organised in Lagos yesterday, National President of CIOTA, Dr Bashir Jamoh noted that there was need to integrate road, rail, water and air transport as none can stand on its own without the other.


He lamented that when goods are imported into Nigeria either by air, rail or water, road transportation remains the most patronised mode. 


On this, he assured that CIOTA will be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to assist in the road expansion and rehabilitation so that goods can be easily moved from one point to another.


The theme of the summit is “Unlocking the Potentials of Transportation for Sustainable Development”


The summit is scheduled to hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, from December 3 – 5, 2019. 


Speaking, he said “The aim of this summit is to push for policies that will enable seamless integration of the different modes of transportation in the country”


“It will have an array of renowned experts, led by Chairman, Presidential Economic Council, Dr. Doyin Salami, who will be making presentations on various aspects of the Nigerian transportation system and seek ways for improving it, for the good of the Nigerian economy”


“As we know, our ports, especially in Lagos, are congested and there is a need for expansion so that it can contain more goods. This can only be done by collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the transport and logistics sector of Nigeria”


Dr Jamoh said the issue of Apapa gridlock will also be on the front burners at the summit.He assured that CIOTA would  be pushing for the use of other ports in the south-south region of the country, so that Lagos ports are decongested.

DAILY TREND NEWS recalls that the CIOTA President had during his investiture in February 2019 assured that the institute would engage youths from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to control the gridlock in Apapa.


But speaking yesterday, Dr. Jamoh noted that the problem of Apapa traffic gridlock goes beyond controlling the traffic, he said it has to do with dearth of infrastructure.


According to him, most of the trucks lined up to the port gate have no business transacting at the port.


He said emphasis should be laid on the need for the expansion of the ports, especially Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, due to high volumes of trade so that they can accommodate more containers.


“In CIoTA, we will constantly offer professional advice to government on issues relating to transportation and we will also continue to train our members so that they will be in tandem with modern day realities and best global practices as regards transportation”


“The Summit will have in attendance many dignitaries in Government and the transportation industry, led by the Honourable  Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Serika; Minister of Woks and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki”


“Other Speakers at the event include the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, renowned economist, Professor Pat Utomi, and Managing Director of NPA, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman”


“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the bill establishing CIoTA and to assure him that we will not disappoint the expectation of Nigerians”


“CIoTA as an institute cannot achieve all this alone, except by collaboration with relevant government bodies, which includes the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, NIMASA, NPA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), along with other well meaning organizations, related national associations and the security agencies”

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