Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Federal Government has announced a series of landmark projects aimed at reducing Nigeria’s over-reliance on roads and building a more integrated transport system.
The updates were shared by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olufunso Adebiyi, at the opening of the 19th National Council on Transportation with the theme: ‘Developing an Effective Transport System for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation.’ in Abuja on Monday.
Adebiyi called his presentation a “summary of summaries” of the administration’s work so far, noting that the focus was now on rail, water and air as viable alternatives to road transport.
The permanent secretary described the ongoing railway expansion as a rebirth of the sector, recalling when the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) was one of the country’s strongest institutions, stating that the rail rebirth had gathered pace.
Adebiyi outlined the completed and operational corridors to include: Port Harcourt–Aba, Warri–Itakpe, Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna, adding that work was also advancing on new routes.
“The Kaduna–Zaria–Kano line is nearing completion and should open by December. The Kaduna–Daura–Katsina line is progressing, the Katsina–Jibia–Maradi link is targeted for next year, and work continues on Kano–Dutse,” he stated.
He explained that beyond passengers, the government would push rail freight to take pressure off highways, citing a recent case where a single train moved 33 forty-foot containers from the port to Ibadan Dry Port.
“Technically, you have removed 33 trailers from the Lagos-Ibadan road,” he said.
He added that more dry ports would help move containers closer to final destinations, cutting congestion, accidents and damage to roads.
Speaking on the Smart National Transport Data Bank, he explained that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a Smart National Transport Data Bank under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-and-Transfer model.
The platform, Adebiyi asserted, would create a central database of drivers, vehicles, number plates and operators nationwide, adding: “It will also introduce standardised manifests at motor parks to record vehicle, driver, passenger and destination details.”
This, according to him, simply means that anytime a vehicle had an accident anywhere, “you can pick the manifest and know who is inside and for what purpose and
computerised number plates will also make it easier to track traffic violations”.
On the six standard bus terminals, he stressed that the government had approved six standardized bus terminals nationwide as a pilot.
Each terminal, Adebiyi revealed, would have uniform standards including waiting areas, passenger information systems, police posts, vehicle inspection bays, mechanic workshops, restaurants and restrooms.
He said operators would need to meet safety and regulatory requirements and licences would attract sanctions for violations.
He stated that plans were underway for a high-speed rail line from Lagos to Maiduguri with trains running up to 360km/h.
The goal, Adebiyi said, would give Nigerians real choices between road, rail, air and water.
“Light rail projects have also been approved for Lagos and Kano with plans to extend similar systems to other state capitals.
“In maritime, ongoing reconstruction and automation at the ports are expected to speed up cargo handling, reduce congestion and cut costs. The investments are also creating jobs. Aabout 9,000 youths are currently engaged across two major projects, with roughly 4,000 on one and 5,000 on another,” Adebiyi said.
He also cited the new Federal University of Transportation as a move to build specialised manpower for the sector.
The permanent secretary however said that the administration’s long-term aim is seamless movement across road, rail, air and water, for both people and cargo.
This, he said, would lower logistics costs, improve safety, reduce environmental impact and boost productivity.
Delivering his remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Enitan, said infrastructure must be matched with strong institutions, regulation, data, innovation and skilled workers.
Enitan, represented by Dr. Ishaku Musa, called transportation the “lifeblood of the modern economy” and urged federal and state governments to coordinate better.
The four-day 19th National Council on Transportation brings together federal and state officials, agencies, industry players and development partners to agree on strategies for a re efficient, affordable, safe and sustainable transport system.
The council is expected to examine challenges across the sector and develop strategies for building a more efficient, affordable, accessible, safe, sustainable and integrated transportation system.