Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and his counterpart in the Transportation Ministry, Senator Ahmed Alkali, have engaged in strategic discussions concerning reviewing the National Land Transport Policy.
The dialogue, held over the weekend, aimed to identify crucial actions to enhance the policy’s effectiveness, particularly emphasizing the incorporation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to garner stakeholder support.
Bagudu highlighted the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Initiative’s recent approval during the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
”This initiative seeks to address funding challenges that have hindered the implementation of policies, development plans, and the agenda for 2050,” he noted.
The Minister commended his counterpart for his commendable policies and projects, underscoring their importance for the country’s development.
Meanwhile, Minister Alkali emphasized the urgent need for a robust and practical transportation policy, noting that he had inaugurated a technical committee in January 2024 to review past efforts and develop a sustainable Land Transport Policy framework.
According to him, the significance is in focusing on rail and road transportation, which currently constitute the weakest links in the transport and logistics value chain.
Alkali highlighted that the revised policy would serve as a blueprint for building a transportation system that meets the populace’s needs.
He called for consensus on a land policy that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for Nigeria’s transportation sector, aiming to stand the test of time and propel the nation’s development forward.
Others at the meeting include the Permanent Secretary of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, and senior management staff from both ministries.
