FG worried over high cost of transportation in Nigeria ―Osibanjo

THE Federal Government has expressed concerns over the high cost of transportation in the country which has equally stimulate an upward hike in prices of almost every product in Nigeria. Speaking on Friday in Abuja, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was represented at the closing ceremony of the meeting for African Transport Ministries by the Secretary to the Federal government, Boss Mustapha decried the high cost of transportation in the African Region.

‎Osibanjo who harped on the need for an affordable transport system in Nigeria and Africa, in general, expressed hope that the conference will reshape the mindset of the engineering teams and decision makers to consider transport as one of the grand solutions to ensure economic growth in the continent through cheap and efficient means of transportation.

The VP stated that, “with the right policies in place and political will by leaders of respective countries, we will implement plans and strategies arrived at here so that African transportation sector would be able to respond efficiently and effectively in the set out objectives for development of a safe and an integrated urban transport system for our cities.

He said it was worrisome to have the kind of cumbersome nature of air travel within African continent.

“The only solution to reducing the cost of transportation within the continent is for all other countries to join the Sub-Sahara African Transport Programme (SSATP) so that the continent can have an integrated transport system.”

Osinbajo lamented that the high rate of deaths due to road accidents is an indication that more needs to be done to curtain fast-growing population and the migration from rural to urban centres. Adding that Africa rate of urbanisation and its effect on urban mobility is rapid and unprecedented.

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‎He also called for a need to harmonise the rail, road and water transportation such that they are people friendly in line with the modality of transport management,‎ noting that the conference would strengthen partnerships, build synergies, provide the platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experiences among participating countries and organisation.

The VP commended the SSATP for supporting member countries towards addressing transport sector challenges through the formulation of appropriate policies, strategies, adequate institutions and building capacities.

He assured that in Nigeria, “government was working with United Nation Agencies, transport and petroleum agencies to promote clean air and curtail fuel emission from vehicles in order to ensure safety for road users.”