The President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) Dr Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, has said that the Institute is set to professionalise all aspects of transportation industry in Nigeria for sustainable development.
Dr Jamoh, who is also the Executive Director, Finance, of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said this, recently at the opening of a 3-Day National Transportation Summit organised by CIOTA, in Abuja, with the theme “Unlocking the Potentials of Transportation for Sustainable Development.”
According to the CIoTA President, “with the recent assent of Mr President recognising the Institute as the sole professional body in the transport industry, CIoTA will engage all stakeholders to ensure that all those involved in transport administration in Nigeria are certified to enhance professionalism.
He also disclosed that the institute’s plan to engage some graduate youths already mobilised for the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) as transport administration volunteers. According to him, the volunteer group will also work with other relevant government agencies like Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in carrying out its activities.
He added that CIoTA would conduct research aimed at solving most of the transport challenges in the country.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers Council, Mr Hassan Bello, decried the absence of seamless links in the country’s transport infrastructure, while commending government efforts at getting them fixed.
Bello said there must be a link between economy and transportation in Nigeria, if the economy must move faster with its peers.
According to him, CIoTA holds the answer to several of Nigeria’s lingering transport issues since it is organised, devoid of unhealthy rivalry and not having any distraction like leadership tussles.
Nigeria, Bello said, is in the era of diversification of national revenue sources and the transport sector is supportive of other businesses, including creation of much needed employments.
He said, Apapa and Tin Can Ports that have 24 million metric tonnes capacity for cargo handling, presently handles over 89m metric tonnes which gets them overstretched.