By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
It was indeed pomp and pageantry as the much awaited Global Transport Policy Annual Transport Roundtable Bilingual magazine was recently unveiled in Lagos, dignitaries from different works of life gathered at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, to celebrate the magazine.
The magazine, in English language, comprises an editorial note page, with opinion pages on rail connecting the Asian countries. Also there is the Global Training Academy story with different training on transport, while the back pages are written in French language. The English comprises 32 pages while the French language pages are 31.
Different activities that marked the event was the police band entertaining guests with their solemn music. Awards were presented to deserving Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of life, among them include the Lagos State Governor, Babajide-Sanwo-Olu; the Inspector of Police, and other eminent Nigerians present at the event.
To spice up the event were six panel of discussants, who dwelt on transport business – how we could move the system forward in Nigeria, with the theme “Transport infrastructure and Regional Integration: Assessing the Potential of Transport infrastructure Development for National Integration”, which was chaired by Mrs. Ugboma.
During the discussion, they pointed out that transport was the bedrock of any economy to grow, “For the economy to grow, we must put transportation into consideration. If transport is not in the economy, how do you develop the economy? We cannot drive what we don’t have. We should know that transportation is futuristic and sustainable; therefore, it should be accessible and inclusive; that is everybody, including people with disabilities, children to be included in the framework policy.
The Minister of Transport, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, pointed out that the policy gave a framework to do this. Citing Kaduna as an example, he said the state has developed a master plan for 50 years on how to accelerate the transport policy, and they also came up with a draft policy, “but why they don’t have a policy now is because they are waiting for the federal government. But, even at that, the state has created agencies such as Kaduna Transport Authority, Kaduna Road Agency among others.”
Unveiling the magazine was the Lagos State Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation of Lagos, Hon. Oluwaseun Osiyemi. The state governor stated that the state’s transport policy would be unveiled soon, noting that the policy was put together to ensure a very sustainable, efficient, and reliable transportation system that would attract investors and encourage public-private partnership in the state and among foreigners.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the Global Transport Policy magazine, Dr. Oluwasegun Musa, stated that Nigeria needed to recognise robust transportation networks which were not merely about connecting cities and regions but about laying a foundation that could sustain economic growth.
“Therefore, the mere existence of transportation networks is not enough, but what brings about growth in an economy is the strategic intervention of policies designed to optimise these networks, making sure there is efficiency, sustainability and inclusivity,” he said.
The transportation icon stated that the revitalisation of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure required bold vision, decisive action and unwavering commitment by giving priority strategic policy intervention for a sustainable economic growth, for job creation and also improved quality of life for Nigerians.
Also, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr. Keyamo, who was represented by Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, described the pivotal role of maritime, road transport in economic and environmental growth, and praised the commencement of direct flight to London by domestic airline, Air peace, which, he said, was a good development for the Nigerian aviation industry.