Why we Need National Land Transportation Policy – Minister

The Minister of Transport, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, has spoken of the need to urgently develop a National Land Transportation Policy (NLTP) for Nigeria.

Highlighting the role of transportation as a vital economic enabler, Senator Alkali said the NLTP will aim to support socio-economic growth and improve citizens’ quality of life. The Minister also linked the efficiency of the transportation sector with the potential to boost other areas such as Agriculture, Blue Economy, Tourism, Industrialisation, and National Integration.

The Minister said this in his keynote address at the Ministerial Retreat held in Abuja.

The two-day retreat brought together top management officials from the Ministry and its Agencies. “It serves as the first official congregation under the minister’s leadership and is aimed at fostering team cohesion and developing strategies to fulfill the Ministry’s objectives,” a statement by the Minister’s spokesman, Jemilu Jafaru, read in part.

“Senator Alkali welcomed the initiative by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, at the Presidential Retreat in 2023, signed a Performance Bond with Cabinet Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries. This bond is intended to set benchmarks for the Ministry’s achievements and the effective implementation of presidential priorities. The Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) has been tasked with tracking the performance of these government officials.

“Senator Alkali underscored the President’s clear expectations for measurable results from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and noted that while the Performance Bond highlights certain priorities, it is not exhaustive of the Ministry’s responsibilities. He expressed optimism that the retreat would result in a comprehensive implementation strategy that extends beyond the priority projects and programs outlined in the signed bonds,” the statement added.

In light of government funding limitations, the Minister stressed the importance of attracting private sector investment and emphasised the need for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to move from planning to implementation.