The Federal Government is set to evolve a world class transportation system that will position the country as a hub in the West and Central Africa.
Speaking at the 12th Intermodal Africa 2014 Exhibition and Conference held in Lagos Thursday, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar said the government is determined to establish a safe, efficient, affordable and seamless intermodal transport system in line with global best practices while creating an enabling environment for Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Over 700 participants attended the event.
The promotion of Inter-modalism, he said, envisages among others the connection of all state capitals, Sea ports, Airports and River Ports with railway lines to complement the existing road infrastructure across the country.
The Ministry of Transport, he said, granted approval for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to host the exhibition and conference as a reflection of Federal Government’s efforts and determination to showcase the programmes and projects being undertaken under the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Maritime Sector, the minister said, remains a key sector of the economy, whose enormous potential deserves continuous harnessing in order to meet the expectation of the government and the people.
“Over the last two years, Nigeria has been carrying out a number of reform measures aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency in the various ports. For instance 24 hours operation has been achieved in the Lagos Ports where more than 60 per cent of our port activities take place. For the long term, the Federal Government is making concerted efforts towards ensuring the development of Deep Sea Ports in the Country. This is the ultimate solution to the current port congestion as the cargo handling are presently beyond their designed capacities.
“The Federal Government has recently approved the Development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port here in Lagos which is expected to handle bigger vessels, and also create employment. The Port is to be developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP),” he said.
In the area of maritime safety and security, the minister said, the partnership between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the private sector is yielding positive results.
The Federal Government, he added, has granted approval to NIMASA for the removal of wrecks and derelicts on a ‘no-cure-no-pay’ basis in order to provide for safe navigation within our waterways.
In his speech, the Managing Director NPA, Mallam Habib Abdullahi urged the participants to key into the Federal Government programmes by investing in the transport sect.
The potential of the sector, Abdullahi said is enormous and called for synergy between the government and the private investors to promote the transport sector and boost the economy.
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With which Road? do have good road for such now? i beg make government repair all the Federal and State road in Nigeria? before coming up with this?
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