Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation
Amaechi gave the directive on Tuesday in Lagos at the maiden edition of the Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series, themed: “Migrating Workforce: The Challenges of Mass Transportation.’’
He described rail transport as the most suited for mass transportation
because of its ability to convey more passengers at any given time.
“MD railway, stop those hanging on top, get the Nigerian
police, railway department, to stop them from hanging on top.
“Some will fall down and die, and they won’t say it was their fault;
what did the government do to keep that man alive.
“Part of the responsibility of government is not to provide
infrastructure alone, but is to keep you alive.’’
The minister, who was the keynote speaker, said that an efficient and
effective intermodal transportation system was central to the growth
of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“We in the transport ministry believe in the multimodal system where
the water connects with the road and the roads connect with the air.
“Without transportation man will die of hunger, take for example, they
produce tomatoes in the north, not in the south.
“Now, if there is no transportation, only northerner will eat their
tomatoes, so you need to move tomatoes from Kano, for instance to
Lagos.
“Also, food cash crops rot or depreciate in nutritional quality and
economic value due to inaccessibility to markets.
“So, basically, you need transportation to grow the economy.’’
He said that the greatest problem of mass transportation in Nigeria
was poor governance, adding that the Federal Government would provide
the required policy framework for investors to provide such services.
“We will continue to make policies for mass transportation; we are
ready to give them licence to go ahead with their rail activities even
though for now, it is on the exclusive list,’’ he said.
The minister said that the Federal Government was prepared to
collaborate with the Lagos State Government to take advantage of the
inland waterway to reduce traffic gridlock.
“There is a need to deal with the inland waterways, and it is
important the Lagos State Government come to meet with us, if not we
will concession it out.
“Because you can actually design movement of boats around Lagos to
reduce traffic, because if you provide rail or boats people can keep
their vehicles at home, pick up the boats come to work and go back.
“In fact, I have actually told NIWA to start accepting those who are
making proposals for inland waterway transport in Lagos.
“But the Federal Government is ready to partner with Lagos State
Government to increase whatever they are doing in terms of inland
waterways to reduce the impact on your roads and that of the Federal
Government.
“And to reduce the impact on time and productive in business.’’
He also cautioned the state government from unlawful issuance of
Certificate of Occupancy on lands belonging to the Federal Government.
”Inland waterway is essential, and it is important that Lagos State
government looks at the law so that they stop selling our land because
we may need it tomorrow for development.
“And when you sell and give Certificate of Occupancy to the extent of
the federal law, it is illegal, when we need it tomorrow, we will not
pay compensation.’’
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