The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Enitan, has called for greater integration of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure to reduce pressure on roads and improve the efficiency of movement across the country.
Enitan, represented by Director Musa Ishaku, made the call while speaking at a transport sector event, where he stressed the need for coordinated development of road, rail, air and water transportation.
He said the increasing volume of traffic on the nation’s roads had made it imperative for the government to develop alternative means of transportation and ensure that existing infrastructure was properly integrated.
According to him, transportation infrastructure must be developed in line with the growing population and increasing demand for movement of people and goods.
The HoSF noted that the absence of sufficient alternatives had placed excessive pressure on roads, leading to congestion, deterioration of infrastructure and increased transportation challenges.
He stressed the importance of developing a modern and efficient transportation system capable of supporting economic activities, facilitating trade and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.
Enitan also highlighted the importance of human capital development in sustaining reforms in the transport and infrastructure sectors.
He said developing the capacity of professionals and producing skilled graduates would be critical to addressing manpower gaps in Nigeria’s transportation industry.
The HoSF said investment in transportation would not only improve mobility but also create employment opportunities, reduce travel costs, enhance productivity and support economic growth.
He urged stakeholders in the sector to work together to address existing challenges and develop a coordinated transport system that would provide Nigerians with multiple options for moving people and goods.
The call came as the Federal Government continued efforts to expand the country’s railway network and improve other modes of transportation.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transport, Olufunso Adebiyi, who also spoke at the event, said about 98 per cent of Nigerians currently depend on road transportation.
He said the heavy dependence on roads had subjected road pavements to traffic volumes beyond their original design capacity, citing a section of the Lagos-Ibadan corridor which now accommodates more than 200,000 vehicles daily.
Adebiyi said the development of rail transportation was therefore necessary to take excess traffic off the roads.
He listed the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, Warri-Itakpe and Port Harcourt-Abuja rail lines among completed and operational projects.
He added that work was nearing completion on the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor, with commissioning expected by December, while other routes including Kaduna-Katsina and Katsina-Jibia-Maradi were also being developed.
According to him, transporting cargoes by rail will reduce the number of heavy-duty trucks on highways, lower accident risks and prolong the lifespan of road infrastructure.
He disclosed that about 4,000 workers were being engaged on the Kano-Maradi railway project alone, describing the transport sector as a major source of employment.
Meanwhile, transport expert, Emmanuel Oche, called for increased investment in public transportation and integrated urban mobility to support Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
Oche, Chief Executive Officer of Transport Support Initiative, also proposed the establishment of a National Urban Mobility Authority (NUMA) and National Highways Transport Authority (NaHTA) to coordinate and professionalise the country’s transport system.
He advocated sustained government funding, digitisation of public transport systems and integration of road, rail, air and water transportation with alternative last-mile mobility options such as cycling and electric shuttles.
He said efficient public transportation should be treated as a social investment that benefits the entire population rather than as infrastructure designed primarily to generate profit.
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