Abuja: The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Said Alkali, announced that the newly approved National Land Transport Policy by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is set to advance road safety through improved regulation of the road sector. Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Alkali emphasized the potential benefits of this policy for Nigeria's transportation landscape.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the new National Land Transport Policy aims to develop an efficient, safe, integrated, and sustainable land transport system in Nigeria. Alkali highlighted that the policy would be driven by private sector investments and modern technology, including cleaner energy solutions. He noted that this initiative marks the first of its kind in Nigeria's history, aiming to tap into the untapped potentials within the transport sector by establishing a robust operational framework.
Alkali further disclosed the Federal Government's plans to construct bus terminals and CNG stations across the nation's six geopolitical zones as part of a pilot project. These locations were selected based on their economic viability, and the government intends to collaborate with the World Bank for further development of these terminals. The minister pointed out that these terminals would include CNG centers and security agency presence, addressing common causes of road traffic accidents such as drug abuse.
The minister also emphasized the government's commitment to passenger safety by mandating the use of manifests for all passengers departing from these stations, regardless of bus ownership. He remarked, "Government has a responsibility to ensure safety. So, we need to ensure all these facilities are on our roads, but certainly a journey of 1000 miles starts with a step."
Addressing developments in the rail sector, Alkali mentioned the operational status of the eastern narrow gauge corridor from Port Harcourt to Aba, which was initiated last year. Plans are underway to activate another corridor from Kaduna to Kano by the end of next year. Additionally, the rail project from Kano to Katsina, with a branch line in Jigawa State, is progressing with active rail track laying in Jigawa.
In conclusion, Alkali stated that transportation is a gateway to economic growth and citizen welfare, reflecting the government's achievements in the transportation sector over the past two years.