Abuja: The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) has appealed to the Federal Government to focus on rehabilitating existing petroleum pipelines and establishing new ones to enhance fuel distribution across the nation. This appeal was made by Prof. Samuel Odewumi, the Chairman of the Seventh National Transport Conference Planning Committee, during a virtual news conference announcing the resolutions from the recent conference.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, which took place on November 3 in Abuja, was organized by CIOTA under the theme ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models For Global Competitiveness’. One of the key resolutions was the urging of the government to prioritize the transport of clean fuel by investing in pipeline infrastructure. This move is intended to support a nationwide network for distributing auto gas, aligning with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2035 and 2060.
Prof. Odewumi emphasized CIOTA’s commitment to professional certification, advocacy, and leadership within the transport sector, highlighting the need for transparency and regulatory coherence in developing sustainable transport infrastructure. The conference also stressed the importance of collaborating with transport unions to enhance transport education and training, which would lead to improved productivity and ethical standards in the industry.
Furthermore, the conference called for collaboration between CIOTA and the Federal Government to promote public awareness and the implementation of the National Land Transport Policy and the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. This collaboration aims to modernize Nigeria’s transport system and address the lack of transport policies in most states, with only Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna currently having such policies.
The need for multi-modal integration was also highlighted, with a focus on connecting road, rail, air, maritime, and inland waterways to enhance efficiency and reduce logistics costs. CIOTA is determined to work with the Federal Ministry of Transport to develop Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport Systems, thereby modernizing infrastructure and aligning operations with global standards.
Additionally, the conference advised the government to expedite funding for ongoing rail projects and streamline the driver’s license issuance process. Strengthening driver education and training institutions was also deemed necessary. To ensure the sustainability of transport infrastructure, a call was made to improve Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategies and increase investment in innovative and security infrastructure.
The event, chaired by Governor Sani Uba of Kaduna State, saw participation from over 450 attendees, emphasizing the collective commitment to advancing Nigeria’s transport sector.