The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Said Alkali, has said that the newly approved National Land Transport Policy will help improve regulations in the road sector to make transportation safer.
He made this known while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
The new policy is designed to build an efficient, safe, and sustainable land transport system that works well across the country.
Alkali explained that the policy will rely on private sector investment and modern technology, including the use of cleaner energy.
He also noted that this is the first policy of its kind in Nigeria. According to him, transportation is one of the busiest sectors worldwide, and Nigeria must create a proper framework to harness its potential.
“This framework will strengthen the sector,” he said.
The minister revealed that the Federal Government plans to build bus terminals and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) stations across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
He explained that contracts have already been approved for the construction of six bus terminals as a pilot project. The locations were chosen based on economic potential, and the government will also work with the World Bank to expand the project.
Alkali added that the terminals would also have CNG centres and security agencies on site. He stressed that drug abuse is one of the major causes of road accidents in the country.
To improve safety, the government will also insist that transport operators use passenger manifests, whether the buses are owned by government or private individuals.
“Government has a responsibility to ensure safety, and this is just the beginning of many steps we are taking,” Alkali said.
On rail transportation, the minister said that the Port Harcourt–Aba rail corridor has been in use since last year, even though it was only at the outskirts of Port Harcourt before this administration took over.
He added that work is ongoing to open another corridor from Kaduna to Kano before the end of next year.
Similarly, he said that construction has begun on the Kano–Katsina rail line, which includes a branch line in Jigawa State where tracks are already being laid.
Alkali described these projects as major achievements recorded by the government in the past two years.
He concluded that transportation is a key driver of the economy and has the power to promote growth and improve the lives of Nigerians.
