June 6, (THEWILL)- The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, has encouraged the 36 states of the federation to develop their own transport policy in order to stimulate a well-developed transportation sector for the country.
Senator Alkali gave the advice on Thursday, in an address he delivered at the Kano State Transport Policy Dialogue organised by the State Government.
“I wish to congratulate the state for this laudable initiative and inform that my Ministry is ready to provide all necessary support for the finalisation of the policy.
“I, therefore, encourage other states of Nigeria to also kick-start the development of their own transport policy so as to develop a well-developed transportation sector for Nigeria,” he said.
He expressed delight that states such as Lagos and Kano have become trailblazers by recognising the need to provide a blueprint that would serve as a set of principles and ethos to guide their overall decision-making for an integrated and functional transport system.
“I am particularly glad that the leadership of Kano State took to heart the resolutions of the recently concluded 18th National Council on Transportation (NCT) and convened this laudable event.
“I am very encouraged that the fundamental goal of this administration, which is to develop an adequate, safe, secure, smart, environmentally sound, efficient, affordable, sustainable, preferred and integrated transport system, is gradually being actualised,” the Minister said.
In his address, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, said the dialogue was informed by his administration’s drive to reform the public transport sub-sector of the economy as a prelude to ensuring a “safe, reliable, effective and efficient inter-modal public transport system in line with global best practices is ushered in the state.”
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, said the State Government had undertaken many transformation projects in the transportation sector to align with modern transportation policies.
These, he said, include the construction of the first three-number flyovers in the state at Kofar Nasarawa, Obasanjo Road and Murtala Muhammed Way.
“We have also constructed two underpasses, all aimed at reducing traffic congestion which causes a lot of inconvenience to motorists,” Yusuf added.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
