CILT Membership Critical Qualification for Employment in Transport Sector—Sarumi

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Chief Adebayo Sarumi (3rd from left) and other dignitaries on the high table at the CILT 2022 Conference which kick-started in Lagos on Tuesday

…Institute Confers Hajia Lami Tumaka, Otunba Folarin, Moghalu, Others as Fellows

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Fellow of the Chattered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Chief Adebayo Sarumi has canvassed for CILT membership to be made part of the qualifications for employment in the transport sector in Nigeria.

Sarumi who chaired the 2022 National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the CILT, which took place in Lagos on Tuesday stated this in his keynote address.

Speaking in line with the theme of the conference tagged “Sustainable Innovations in Global Logistics and Transport” Sarumi states that logistics
and transport are key drivers for economic development, hence the CILT must have a greater impact in transport policy formulation in Nigeria.

He also charged the institute to Initiate a Transport and Logistics Research Fund with the active collaboration and participation of private sector and government agencies.

The former NPA boss said that if logistics and transport are efficiently organized, they can lead to great savings and increased availability of investable resources thus resulting in economic growth.

Dignitaries at the CILT Nigeria conference inna group photograph

“The purpose of the CILT is to promote, encourage and co-ordinate the study, planning and advancement of the science and art of transport, logistics and supply chain operations in all their branches; to extend, increase, disseminate knowledge and exchange ideas and information; to assist and further in all practicable ways, the development and improvement of transport, logistics and supply chain operations in the higher interests of society.

“Transport infrastructure remains germane to the promotion of economic growth, improved standard of living, poverty reduction, enhanced productivity and improved competitiveness.

“Nigeria is currently faced with huge infrastructural gaps that have hindered its desire to exploit her rich natural and human resources.
All the foregoing investments and deployment must combine to give a nation a high logistics Performance Index (LPI).

“To achieve this, a comprehensive evaluation of the institutions and parties that drive and participate in the Transportation value chain is required. Government Institutions as well as private institutions and parties must key into a common agenda and demonstrate professional competencies; they must give proof of clear understanding of issues, show willingness and passion to perform synergistically and efficiently.

“In most cases, the reasons for poor performances can be traced to institutions that lack clear mandate and are not properly aligned to common policy objectives” he said

Earlier in her welcome address, National President of CILT Nigeria, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro, noted that this year’s conference keys into the global conversation about sustainability principles in how businesses, in particular, the logistics and transport sector are conducted.

“The Conference literally has something for everyone, policy makers, legislators, transport and logistics operators, academia, lawyers and students.” she said

While declaring the conference open, Minister of Transportation, Eng Mu’azu Sambo, pointed out that the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to establish critical transport infrastructure to ensure sustainable transport and logistics.

According to him “There has been a massive shift for the connection of the rail, road and maritime subsector to reduce road traffic congestion and increase the competitive edge of the Transport and Logistics sector.

“Although, we understand that a lot still needs to be done to develop the logistics and transport industry of our nation. I therefore call on Transport Researchers and Transport Regulators to collaborate and use this platform to develop innovative strategies that would aid in sustaining and developing the transportation Sector.”

In his goodwill message, the Director General of Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria, Dr Bayero Salih-Farah stressed the need for the creation of a National Transport Databank.

Dr Salih-Farah who was represented by Mr Joshua Odeleye, Director of Transport Research at NITT, hinted that the institute has begun the construction of a facility that will house its transport databank.

According to him, when completed and made operational, monitoring of transport activities across all modes is hoped to receive a boost with connectivity to similar facilities globally.
“Smart and Innovative contemporary Transport equally considers the use of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in traffic management on one hand, for instance, as it relates to prediction of future traffic demand more accurately towards reduction of congestion and improving safety and travel experiences for road users.

“Also, a priority funding of a National Transport Data Ecosystem (National Transport Databank) a one-stop shop for a real time transport data sharing and integration among stakeholders in the Industry in Nigeria, primarily for
monitoring and performance evaluation of all modes.”

The CILT 2022 Conference is a 2-days event with twenty nine speakers and experts, dissecting various topics for discussion and recommending practical solutions.

The CILT Nigeria also conferred fellowship awards on nine eminent personalities including the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dr George Moghalu, Chairman of Port Consultative Council (NPCC) Otunba Kunle Folarin and former Director of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Hajia Lami Tumaka.

Others are; SIFAX Group’s Capt Ibrahim Olugbade, Registrar of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) Barr Sam Nwakohu, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Onwordi Oforkanji Emmanuel, Alaga Abdulwaheed Ajibola and Rector of MAN Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua.

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