The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Transport

  • Transport, logistics can boost growth, says Peterside

    Transport, logistics can boost growth, says Peterside

    •UNIPORT needs help in many areas, says VC

    Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Dr. Dakuku Peterside has described transport and logistics as the greatest enabler of economic growth.

    He spoke yesterday at the Senate Chambers of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) after his inauguration as the Chairman of 12-member Board of the Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies (CELTRAS) of UNIPORT.

    CELTRAS board consists of many eminent Nigerians as members, including an Assistant Corps Marshall (ACM) of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Kayode Olagunju.

    The Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Ndowa Lale, who inaugurated the members of the board, said the university had big dreams, but needed help in many areas.

    Acting Director of CELTRAS, Dr. Gladys Emenike, added that the centre, which was established in 2012, was one of the foremost institutions of supply-chain management, logistics and transport management in Nigeria, which had been improving on the general absence of proper planning, coordination and efficient management of logistics and transport activities in both public and private sectors.

    He the centre prepares and trains personnel.

    Emenike revealed that admission into the centre started in 2012/2013 session, with an initial intake of 17 post-graduate students, stressing that in the 2016/2017 session, CELTRAS had 38 students in M.Sc. programme, 12 Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) students and 13 doctoral students

    He said the centre is in the process of transiting into an institute, with transport specialised areas of maritime, air, road, rail, pipeline and logistics.

    Peterside said: “It is both an honour and responsibility to serve on the board (of CELTRAS), especially an invitation from the university (UNIPORT) community that we should be part of the roles the university discharges to society: filling the knowledge gap; expanding the horizon of opportunities, by giving people skills and knowledge to be valuable and better members of the society, as well as giving people a sense of social responsibility and civic commitment.

    “If there is one enabler for economic development, it is transport and logistics. Have you ever imagined that we produce goods in one part of the world and are consumed in other parts? Demand and supply exist in two different locations.

    ‘China today is credited with having excess productive capacity, but the goods produced in China are consumed elsewhere. The link between where the goods are produced and where they are consumed/where the demand is effective is transport and logistics.”

    The NIMASA chief, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State during the 2015 election, pledged that members of the board would not fail UNIPORT’s authorities.

  • ‘Agriculture, transport, others will grow leasing, insurance’

    Agriculture, transportation, education and health sectors have huge opportunities for insurance and leasing products, Managing Director, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc, Mr. Jide Orimolade, has said.

    He stated this in a paper entitled: “Building Synergy between Insurance and Leasing Industry: Opportunities, Product Development and Key Success Factors”, delivered at Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria, (ELAN) First Quarter Business Forum, which held in Lagos.

    Orimolade stated that the leasing and insurance companies are presently not doing very well in the agricultural, education, healthcare, and transportation sectors compared to the potential that exist in those sectors.

    He noted that based on the businesses done between the two sectors in the past five years, over 90 per cent are transactional in nature and are generated in the normal course of business and not through deliberate solution work-out or new thinking.

    He believed that there could be a closer and deeper business relationship between the insurance sector and the leasing companies, making them  to collaborate on what he described as “lease- insure model” for business synergy.

    The Law Union & Rock chief said the volume of insurance transactions from leasing companies was far below the market potentials, therefore, there is need to move away from transaction approach and focus on long term, formidable partnerships to  create the needed synergy, cut cost, and improve operational efficiency in order to move their companies forward.

    He said: “There are lots of opportunities for the two businesses if they create and maintain seamless handshake between the insurance industry and leasing companies. There are three key sectors we are not doing very well in compared to the potentials. These are agricultural, education, healthcare, and transportation sectors.

    “Nigeria has the largest population in Africa and one of the largest globally, presenting a huge potential market for our business. Despite the large population, insurance penetration still remains low. With the current Market Development Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) efforts of the industry players and the regulator, insurance penetration in Nigeria is expected to reach a penetration level of 10 per cent in 2025. This will translate into insurance premiums, running into trillions of naira. This growth will largely be driven by growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), supported by expanding credits, which leasing companies will play a key role,” he added.

  • Transport firm wins Toyota prize

    Transport firm, Peace Mass Transit (PMT) Ltd has won Toyota’s best customer in Nigeria for the year 2016.

    It was the second time in six years, the PMT would win the prize, spurring the Japanese auto maker to present it with a commemorative plaque, and a N2m cash prize, at a colourful ceremony which held in Lagos.

    PMT which celebrated its 20th anniversary recently, has a preponderance of Toyota brands in its mini-bus fleet, and must have bought the highest number of units of the popular Toyota Hummer Hiace brand to qualify for this special recognition.

    The Chief Executive of PMT, Dr. Sam Maduka Onyeishi last week in Enugu at a media interaction displayed the prizes to reporters.

    Toyota representative and major dealer in Nigeria, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, had earlier made the presentations to PMT, which was represented at the occasion by its South-West Area Manager, Victor Asadu.

    The event held at the Grand Banquette Hall, Civic Centre Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Chief Ade-Ojo said at the occasion that Toyota was particularly proud of Peace Mass Transit Ltd, for being “consistently loyal to its brands”, and greatly valued the business relationship existing between the two organizations.

    Toyota, he said, desired that the robust and rewarding business relationship between the two got even stronger, while commending PMT’s unwavering loyalty to the Toyota brand.

    Chief Ade-Ojo is owner and proprietor of the Elizade Group, Toyota’s main distributor in Nigeria.

    Awards for Toyota customers were in two categories, including the one won by PMT, which was the only transport company in Nigeria so recognized.

    PMT first won the Toyota best customer award in 2012. The company which has over 2,000 mini-buses in active operation at any point in time, moves over thirty thousand Nigerians daily. PMT was established by businessman, Dr. Sam Maduka Onyishi, MON, in 1996. It has a staff strength of over 4,000 and some 60 bus terminals across Nigeria. The company has the largest mini-bus fleet in Nigeria, and posts a good safety track record.

  • Security: Govt to strengthen transport policy

    The transportation system in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be strengthened in line with the Abuja Master Plan to improve the security of life and property.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, disclosed this while receiving officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), FCT Chapter that paid him a visit in his office.

    Bello said that such policy would be aimed at devising very efficient and scientific ways of operating as well as handling large numbers of commuters.

    He said, “We also have our plans and programmes as to what we want transport management in Abuja to be. Based on the master plan and our focus and for us to be able to cater for the high number of people in Abuja”.

    “We have to really sit down and device very efficient and scientific ways of handling that, starting from the locations where you operate to the road network for your members to function, to the security of commuters and your members as well as the freedom for you to operate without hindrance,” he added.

    Bello reiterated that the policy cannot be an all comer’s affairs because Abuja remains the window through which the world sees Nigeria.

    In a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said: “As you all know, anybody who has a car, no matter where he is from, one day just decides, ‘I want to go to Abuja’ and he comes to Abuja and just paints the car or we paint it for him and register it and before you know it, he is on the streets. Some of them will come and they don’t even follow traffic regulations, they hit people on the road, park indiscriminately and I am sure most of them as you said are not your members and I know”.

    “But we will sit down with you and streamline it so that if somebody comes in, I will know this is not the type of driver or vehicle we want in Abuja. We will tell him to park it at the border and then enter our own kind of vehicles,” he emphasised.

    The Minister remarked that “for us in Abuja, we require your support; all the issues raised cannot be resolved without the support of the Unions”.

    He restated that NURTW and other Unions in the transportation industry are very important stakeholders in Nigeria because no economy will progress and survive without the movement of goods, services and human beings.

    Bello said that the FCT Administration through its investment arm would roll out empowerment programmes for the transport associations through credit facilities to enable them own commercial vehicles of the standard befitting of Abuja roads.

    On the knotty issue of multiple taxations, he assured, “We are working on it seriously because it affects you as transporters, and it affects the hotel and hospitality business. It affects the health and educational system. Everybody is complaining. So, we are going to streamline it because the duty of government is to facilitate what you do”.

    Bello used the opportunity to appeal to the NURTW and other unions in the transportation industry, to continue to be patience despite the challenges; saying, “under no circumstances should you take the law into your hands, no matters the provocation”.

  • Increase in BRT fares will impoverish us – Lagos residents

    Increase in BRT fares will impoverish us – Lagos residents

    Some residents of Ikorodu on Wednesday complained that the reviewed transport fares of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would further impoverish the citizens of Lagos State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The residents told NAN that the increase in fares was untimely, considering the prevailing economic situation in the country.

    They appealed to the Lagos State Government to review the transport fares of the various routes to ease the discomfort being experienced by commuters.

    NAN further reports that transport fares from Ikorodu to TBS was increased from N200 to N300; Ikorodu to Fadeyi increased from N120 to N200; while Ikorodu to Mile 12 increased from N75 to N100.

    A trader, Mrs Adeola Adebiyi, complained that the increase in fares was astronomical.

    She said that the increase would not serve the interest of the common man.

    “We actually expect the government to be humane in the reviewed price considering that the masses are presently facing a lot of challenges, ranging from increase in prices of food, electricity, house rent and school fees.

    “The burden upon us is much. We can barely make ends meet because sales at the market had been low since the beginning of the year, due to low purchasing power of customers.

    “We are living from ‘hand to mouth,’ government should help us.

    “We understand the concerns of the bus operators pertaining to increase in cost of diesel and maintenance of the buses.

    “We appeal that Ikorodu to TBS route be reviewed to N250 instead of N300,” she said.

    A civil servant, Mr Kunle Aderogba, advised that transport fare should be subsidised by the government to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens.

    “The transport fare of BRT bus is a solace to many low income earners but now that has changed with the reviewed transport fares.

    “For years, government has not reviewed the salaries of workers and it has taken a toll on our lifestyle as we have adjusted to our meagre income.

    “We urge the government to consider the societal impact of the reviewed fares on the masses and emulate former Gov. Babatunde Fashola, who only reviewed BRT fares upward by N20,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Amaechi… Let your will be done!

    Amaechi… Let your will be done!

    Not long ago Transportation Minister Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi appeared before the Senate Committee on Land Transport to defend the ministry’s 2017 budget. The minister also was at the House of Representatives to brief the members on the same issue. In the twin appearances, Amaechi had in his delegation directors and the permanent secretary of the ministry.

    Amaechi tagged his budget speech “budget of consolidation and sustenance”. He reeled out his plans on how to improve on his paste of commitment and appealed to the National Assembly to help expedite action by approving the country’s own counterpart funding for the Kano-Kaduna segment 3 of Lagos-Kano rail line and Calabar-Port Harcourt with extension to Onne Deep Sea Port segment of the Coastal Rail Line (Lagos-Calabar rail line).

    Amaechi’s will is for Nigerians to enjoy non -stop the dividends of the change mantra gospel. His will is to galvanize the transportation sector so much that the ‘change’ idea is felt by all and sundry.

    Amaechi is working tirelessly to achieve success. Day and night Amaechi focuses on the Nigerian dream, his thought for Nigerians are of good and not of evil; his prayer for Nigeria is the unity of purpose. Amaechi is a driver of the Nigerian project, trusted, tested and has possessed the required experience to succeed.

    Amaechi’s will is to place the transportation sector equal to world class standard. But this will be made possible if Nigerians jettison partisan politics, come together and pray for their leaders. Nigeria does not require unnecessary protest to grow or develop, the requirement is prayer for our leaders nothing more.

    Those who have led us in the past and brought us to the mess we are experiencing should turn a new leaf. We can only succeed if all hands are on deck. Those who are orchestrating Nigeria break-up should bear in mind that in unity we will stand and in division we will fall.

    At the budget defense Amaechi explained how the ministry intends to achieve set goals and improve on the lots of Nigerians. In that occasion, Amaechi showed how much love he has for Nigerians by ensuring that the things that will do in bettering the transportation sector are all enshrined in the budget.

    Amaechi defended the budget with passion. The chairman, senate committee on land transport, Senator Gbenga B. Ashafa could not hold back his feelings as he nodded unstoppably in agreement with Amaechi’s speech. Other committee members also listened with rapt attention as the speech progressed. One could feel some level of approval in the minds of the committee members, one could also feel some level of support they would render for the budget to scale through, one could also feel how happy they are with  President Muhammadu Buhari for putting a square peg in a round hole.

    Even my colleagues, the pen holders saw the zeal in Amaechi, they saw a Minister with the capacity to deliver, they saw a gentleman whose only business for been a Minister is to deliver on his mandate, my colleagues saw a vibrant and action Minister.

    In his well articulated speech, Amaechi said, “I have the privilege to present to you; distinguished members of the senate committee on land transport the 2016 budget implementation status and our proposal for 2017 which is before you for consideration.”

    “The total capital appropriation for 2016 was N153,465,547,025.00 out of which N31,400,966,847.04 was released to the ministry. The distinguished senators may wish to note that the sum of N120billion appropriated for counterpart funding will be accessed as soon as we finalize the loan agreement with China Exim Bank before the end of 2016 fiscal year”.

    “Government will pursue the railway modernization project with greater vigor in 2017 to achieve practical completion of the Kaduna (Idu) – Kaduna (Rigasa) segment 1 of Lagos-Kano rail line which is already operational. In the first quarter of 2017, the foundation of the Lagos-Ibadan segment 2 of the Lagos-Kano rail project is expected to be laid.”

    “ It is also envisaged that segment 3 of the Lagos – Kano rail project which is Kano-Kaduna stretch as well as the first phase of the coastal railway line (Lagos-Calabar) commencing from Calabar to Port Harcourt with extension to Onne Deep Sea port will commence in 2017 after the conclusion of the negotiation of a financing loan agreement”.

    “The ministry is in the process of procuring additional locomotive and coaches to meet the rising demand of passenger traffic on the Abuja (Idu)-Kaduna (Rigasa) rail line.”

    “ Distinguished senators, the budget proposal before your committee captures expenditure relating to the completion of the projects earlier mentioned and also includes counterpart payment for the Kano-Kaduna segment 3 of Lagos-Kano rail line and Calabar-Port Harcourt with extension to Onne Deep Sea Port segment of the coastal rail line(Lagos-Calabar rail line).”

    “May I at this juncture inform you that as the ministry is pursuing the implementation of government policy in the land transport sub-sector in Nigeria, it also relates with ECOWAS for compliance on International Protocols and Conventions entered into in respect of the sub-sector”.

    “Critical examples are the realisation of the Inter- State Road Transport (ISRT) scheme and the establishment of National Freight Offices, both targeted at facilitating trade and transit in the sub-region. The ISRT scheme presently generates huge revenue and creates employment in countries like Ghana and Gambia where the scheme commenced over a decade ago”.

    “ Let me assure you that the ministry will work with you at all times in our collective effort in transforming the land transport sub-sector for the benefit of all Nigerians”, he said.

    But earlier, the chairman senate committee on land transport, Senator Gbenga B. Ashafa had praised Amaechi and his team for the good jobs been witnessed in the transportation sector particularly on the completion of the Idu to Kaduna rail line. The senate was quite impressed with the effort made by Amaechi and his men for bettering the lots of Nigerians.

    Senator Ashafa took time to read his speech of thanks to Amaechi and his team. Some of the parts in the two pages address presented by senator Ashafa reads ,“It is with a great sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the 2017 budget defense exercise organized by the senate committee on land transport”.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, since the commencement of this administration, today’s exercise would be the second of its kind. Few practical examples of our role have been our defense of the Calabar to Lagos railway modernization project which led to its ultimate inclusion in the 2016 appropriation act on one hand as well as the committee’s effort at the passage of the railway bill, 2016”.

    “Hence, let me seize this opportunity to congratulate the Hon. Minister and his team on the successful completion of the Idu to Kaduna rail line. We hope that in the current year, we would see more of those successful implementations of the capital projects in our budget. We are resolved to work together with Mr. President’s mandate to curb waste and improve efficiency of government spending”, he said.

     

    • Okpara is an aide of Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi

  • Ban on vehicles importation, tonic to automotive industry — Union

    The Automobile, Boatyards, Transport, Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE) has described the Federal Government’s ban on importation of vehicles through land borders as a tonic to the automotive industry.

    The General Secretary of AUTOBATE, Mr Sola Olorunfemi, told journalists in Lagos on Thursday that the ban was a decision in the right direction.

    The government on Dec. 5 issued an order banning the importation of vehicles through land borders.
    He said, “Prohibiting the importation of vehicles – new or old – through land borders is a welcome development and if well implemented will create employment.’’

    He said the policy would energise the automotive industry as many people would have to patronise locally manufactured vehicles.

    The scribe said locally manufactured vehicles might be expensive at the initial stage, but with increased patronage, prices would reduce with the emergence of more manufacturers.

    He, therefore, urged the government to ensure comprehensive implementation of the policy to improve the economy and enhance productivity.

  • Don seeks research-based transport policy

    Provost of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Prof Babatunde Solagberu, has urged the government to conduct thorough research into the various aspects of the society before formulating policies.

    He said this while delivering the university’s 53rd inaugural lecture on Ojo campus. It had as theme: ‘Of broken bones and broken dreams; a bone carpenter to the rescue.’

    Solagberu said his research linked major causes of road transport injuries (RTI) to human factors, followed by vehicular factors, with the least being environmental factors.

    He said: “Human beings are the largest contributors to the problems.

    “We did a research published in the Pan-African Medical Journal. Eighty five per cent of the problems are caused by humans. We are the ones who won’t follow speed limit, will drink and drive, drive against traffic, work ourselves as if we were machine and be tired; then become sleepy and still be driving, instead of us to park and rest.”

    Solagberu, an orthopedic surgeon, downplayed seat belt policies, noting that other factors were more prominent in causing RTIs.

    “For vehicles, the two most common causes of RTI are burst tires and brake failure; and for environment, the two most common are pot holes on the road and broken obstacles. Now, where is seat belt in all of these? Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying seat belt is not important. But if you have 1,000 problems, you ought to have the most important and that is what I mean. Our road safety people should formulate their policies to follow good research,” he said.

    He called for more funding from government and the society for the medical institutions to maximise their potential.

    “It is not only government. There is a role for everyone to play. We can have non-governmental organisations; but the responsibility is more on government, because government is organised,” Solagberu added.

    He continued: “Funding is an issue. Lagos State government is doing a lot but it is still not enough. There are policies that can be made, collaborations between the ministries of health and transport, among others. The institutions that also produce the expert, 99.9 per cent of their funding is coming from government. That is a lot. I feel if a lot more funding is devoted into the system, more can be achieved.

    “We see about 1,200 patients in our surgical emergency room at LASUCOM. Thirty per cent of them are sent back because the spaces are full. So, we need to expand facilities. Research also needs to be funded. Most of what we have been doing, a lot of them are from our own pockets. But it is not only government, we too should organise ourselves.

    “There should be the Trauma Society of Nigeria that should have everybody interested in contributing to the development of the society involved, not only health experts. That way, we would have a lot of things to help reduce injuries because it is about promoting safety. What we are doing now is like mopping the floor of a leaking roof. We should do a lot more and move out to prevent the injuries.”

  • Don seeks research-based transport policy

    Provost of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, Prof Babatunde Solagberu, has urged the government to conduct thorough research into the various aspects of the society before formulating policies.

    He said this while delivering the university’s 53rd inaugural lecture on Ojo campus. It had as theme: ‘Of broken bones and broken dreams; a bone carpenter to the rescue.’

    Solagberu said his research linked major causes of road transport injuries (RTI) to human factors, followed by vehicular factors, with the least being environmental factors.

    He said: “Human beings are the largest contributors to the problems.

    “We did a research published in the Pan-African Medical Journal. Eighty five per cent of the problems are caused by humans. We are the ones who won’t follow speed limit, will drink and drive, drive against traffic, work ourselves as if we were machine and be tired; then become sleepy and still be driving, instead of us to park and rest.”

    Solagberu, an orthopedic surgeon, downplayed seat belt policies, noting that other factors were more prominent in causing RTIs.

    “For vehicles, the two most common causes of RTI are burst tires and brake failure; and for environment, the two most common are pot holes on the road and broken obstacles. Now, where is seat belt in all of these? Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying seat belt is not important. But if you have 1,000 problems, you ought to have the most important and that is what I mean. Our road safety people should formulate their policies to follow good research,” he said.

    He called for more funding from government and the society for the medical institutions to maximise their potential.

    “It is not only government. There is a role for everyone to play. We can have non-governmental organisations; but the responsibility is more on government, because government is organised,” Solagberu added.

    He continued: “Funding is an issue. Lagos State government is doing a lot but it is still not enough. There are policies that can be made, collaborations between the ministries of health and transport, among others. The institutions that also produce the expert, 99.9 per cent of their funding is coming from government. That is a lot. I feel if a lot more funding is devoted into the system, more can be achieved.

    “We see about 1,200 patients in our surgical emergency room at LASUCOM. Thirty per cent of them are sent back because the spaces are full. So, we need to expand facilities. Research also needs to be funded. Most of what we have been doing, a lot of them are from our own pockets. But it is not only government, we too should organise ourselves.

    “There should be the Trauma Society of Nigeria that should have everybody interested in contributing to the development of the society involved, not only health experts. That way, we would have a lot of things to help reduce injuries because it is about promoting safety. What we are doing now is like mopping the floor of a leaking roof. We should do a lot more and move out to prevent the injuries.”

  • Road accounts for 90 per cent of transport needs, says FRSC chief

    Road accounts for 90 per cent of transport needs, says FRSC chief

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said road transport accounts for 90 per cent of national transport needs.

    Its Corps Marshal Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said there were about 12 million registered vehicles plying 204,000km of the roads in the country.

    According to him, passengers and vehicles travelled data collated from major terminals in the country.

    More road users, he noted, used the motor parks last year.

    Quoting the 2010 Draft National Policy on Transport, Oyeyemi said  road network increased.

    He said there were 6,500 km in 1960, 10,000 km in 1970, 29,000 km in 1980 and 204,000 km in recent years.

    Local government roads, he said, account for the large chunk of roads in the country.

    He listed the length of total road network by government ownership as include  34,120km for Federal roads, 34,300km – state roads and about 135,580km for local government roads.

    The federal roads, he said, are mostly inter-state roads with high traffic density.

    He expressed dissatisfaction that of the 204,000 km of roads in the country, about 65 per cent are still in bad condition.

    He reiterated the need for repairs and reconstruction of roads, adding that the construction of new ones would go a long in ameliorating the suffering of the road users.

    In addressing the road safety challenge, Oyeyemi said successive governments devised measures to address the road safety problem over time.

    These are not limited to the Nigerian Army Road Safety Week, after the Civil War in 1972, establishment of National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) – 1974, establishment of Oyo State Road Safety Corps-1977, and establishment of other state road safety institutions in the late ‘70s, such as Anambra State establishment of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on February 18, 1988, state traffic management Agencies—like Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Ogun State Traffic Compliance And Enforcement Corps (TRACE), among others.

    With all these measures, the FRSC boss said there had been reduction  in road crashes.

    Oyeyemi noted that the gap could be further reduced through concerted efforts of stakeholders.