The Federal Government has reassured that the ongoing expansion of railway network across the country will not leave out Ondo State, just as efforts are in motion to declare a deep sea port in the State.
These were part of the resolutions reached at the executive session of the 17th National Council on Transportation (NCT) held in Abuja with the theme: “Transportation Technology and Innovation for Socio – Economic Sustainability”.
Presiding over the session, the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said the target of the rail network expansion is to touch all the 36 State capitals in the country, stressing that Akure will be on the network in no distant time.
The Minister, who acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, in this regard, added that the declaration of deep sea port for Ondo State will become a reality before the expiration of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sambo assured that the Ministry will implement workable and practicable policy initiatives that will advance the efficiency of the transport sector to play a critical role in the sustainable development of the economy.
He called for more synergy between the Federal Government and the States, noting that milestones of the Government will come to naught unless the State governments are on board.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye,while welcoming participants,highlighted the theme of this year’s event as” a call for a paradigm shift from the well-known traditional approach to adapting new innovative technologies that will revolutionise the movement of people and goods, transform the design and operation of Transportation systems”.
Adegoroye harped on the need to embrace imminent transition in the transportation sector that will impact positively on the Nigerian transport system, noting that with growth of new technologies such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, among others, if properly harnessed will guaranty an all encompassing national development for the country.
He added that it is imperative that all join the moving train of Technology and Innovation by keying in and supporting initiatives and plans that will evolve new and digital technology.
The Minister of state reiterated that to facilitate the attainment of the new resolve,the ministry will invest in training and re-training of personnel, acquire state-of-the art technology where necessary, imbibe innovative policies and support collaborations among relevant Agencies/Organisations.
This ,according to him would in turn improve the quality of live of Nigerians, provide job opportunities and foster economic development.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine and Land Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, in his remarks, assured of the National Assembly’s support, noting that no country can attain development without viable and sustainable transportation system.
A Statement by the Special Assistant, Media and Publiicity, Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that the 4-day 17th National Council on Transportation had in attendance State Commissioners for Transportation and their Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, Captains of industries and other relevant stakeholders