By Shola Fadeyi
The National President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administrators (CIoTA) , Dr Bashir Jamoh (Middle) , Deputy National President ,Mr Darlington Ofor(Left) and Chairman,Organsing Committee , 2nd CIOTA National Transportation Summit, Barrister Emmanuel Nwagbara at the Press Conference organised in Lagos to announce the event.
A National Transport Summit, expected to contribute to various efforts in Nigeria, at having an enduring and sustainable transport infrastructure in the country, and which will address other issues in the sector, is to be organised in Abuja by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administrators (CIoTA) from December 1 to 3 , 2020.
According to the National President of CIoTA, Dr Bashir Jamoh who disclosed the above at a media parley yesterday in Lagos, the Summit’s theme is ‘building a sustainable transport infrastructure in Nigeria: Opportunities , innovations and technologies’ while it will also address issues relating to funding and development of the four modes of transport.
He said that the summit will take an holistic look at the development of the transport modes , not in silos but together , for the fact that each mode is connected to the other , while it will also explore new partnership concepts as well as make a case for private participation in the railways.
Jamoh explained that the Summit , which is the second, since the Institute became charter seeks to build on the gains of the maiden edition held exactly one year ago as CIoTA takes her place as the foremost and exclusive charter body designated by legislation to drive the Nigerian Transport sector.
The Institute’s President , who is also the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) stated that the CIoTA has outlined some objectives which it expects to steer the attention of experts, policy makers, players , governments and other Nigerians at the summit.
He disclosed that they include discussion on the context of sustainable transport infrastructure development in Nigeria in relation to the United Nations sustainable development goals, analyse the opportunities , innovations , technologies and current challenges in the provision of air and road transportation in Nigeria.
Discuss the automobile industry in Nigeria showing an example of success in indigenous vehicle technology development.
Discuss alternative and innovative sources of finance and funding , including PPP arrangements for transport infrastructure development in Nigeria and analyse the role of pipeline transportation in the sustainable development of transport in Nigeria.
He however explained that the rebuilding of Nigeria’s Transport infrastructure is currently in progress in many fronts adding that the rail network, highways and bridges , deep seaports and air ports concessioning are some of the areas of strategic focus.
According to him, the building of inland ports represent a hybrid innovation and technology for extending the hinterlands of ports , providing opportunities for multi-modalism in the use of rail , road transport and short sea shipping.
Jamoh stated that there are enormous challenges involved in the efforts , saying they include funding ,public private partnerships (PPP) arrangement institution building, and the covid – 19 issues which have increased the risks of transportation globally.
He pledged that the summit will address the many facets of the outlined issues ,using the expertise and the rich industrial experience of the speakers , discussants and active audience participation.
