The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed yesterday during an inspection of on-going works at at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos the federal government’s plan for developing a national transportation master plan that would help in diversifying the nation’s economy.
Mr. Amaechi was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and other top officials of the ministry. The facilities inspected by the ministers include the new terminal building at MMIA under construction, General Aviation Terminal and the perimeter fencing around the airport.
They also inspected facilities at the control tower, Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria site.Other areas visited are Skyway Aviation Handling Company and the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company.
“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is in the process of developing a national transportation master plan that will be implemented as a fulfillment one of his campaign promises to diversify the national economy while improving non-oil sector revenues.
“While reducing dependence on oil revenues, it will also develop the rural economy, reduce unemployment and urban drift,” Amaechi said. He said the transportation sector held the key to any economy and formed the basis of all socio-economic interactions, adding that Nigeria was suffering the bane of inadequate transportation.
He said the contribution of the transport sector to the Gross National Product, which is only 1.41 per cent, is unacceptable. The minister said: “For a sector that plays a major role in the nation’s development, there is an urgent need to exploit the opportunities that abound within the sector to improve its contribution to the national economy.
“Countries like South Korea and Singapore have built their economies around a vibrant transportation sector. “Although Nigeria is blessed with multiple modes of transportation that is the envy of many, these potentials have largely remained untapped. “Our air transport and railways sub-sectors hold the key to unlocking the vast potential in our cities and rural areas.
The Minister also reveals the government’s plan on Calabar-Lagos rail line. “Work will start in earnest on the standard gauge on the following routes: Calabar-Lagos line, which will transverse the following towns and cities: Obudu Cattle Ranch-Calabar-Uyo-Aba-PH- Yenagoa-Otuoke-Yenagoa-Ughelli-Sapele-Benin-Agbor-Asaba-Onitsha-Benin-Ijebu Ode-Ore-Sagamu-Lagos Seaports; and the Lagos-Kano: Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna-Kano.”
He said the construction of new lines and rehabilitation of old railway lines will generate over 250,000 direct jobs and more indirect jobs, while having multiplier effect on economic activities. “In 2016, we hope to complete work on the Abuja-Kaduna railway line as Mr. President is highly committed to it.
“The new terminal in Lagos will generate additional 15 million passengers annually, making a total of 30 million passengers yearly nationwide. “The medium and long term plans will require significant investments to upgrade and expand infrastructures to meet current and future requirements.
On his part, Mr. Sirika said the ministry would soon meet with airline operators in the country to address the challenges facing the industry.
