OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, CIoTA, has at a Press briefing held on Tuesday announced its plan to host its 6th National Transport Conference 2024, slated for 12-13 November at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Its statement reads in part; "We are excited to announce the 2024 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA). CIOTA is the leading and premier Chartered professional transport body in Nigeria providing training, membership, and certification of transport professionals.
"The 2024 conference which coincides with its Annual General Meeting is aimed at bringing together members of the Institute, academics, industry experts, and stakeholders in the transport industry in Abuja to discuss on the theme; Sustainable Transportation In A Disruptive Era: The Challenges of Developing Economies."
In his submission, Professor Gbadebo Odewunmi said, "It's disheartening to note that Nigeria with vast transport system has no Transport policy in place.
"The Institute has the responsibility to sustain the advocacy to get the policy put in place by the relevant authorities so we can advance the sector considerably. Today, our major means of transportation is by the roads, accounting for over 90% of moving people and goods.
"It's also worth highlighting that operators of road transportation are subjected to the worse forms of extortions by uniformed enforcement Agents who mount illegal tolls and demand huge sums of levies from Drivers in transit that ends up in private pockets." He lamented.
Prof. Odewunmi stressed further that CIoTA should position itself to keep offering professional advise to the government on shaping the transportation sector in line with Global acceptable standards, while calling on the Media to provide all the needed supports.
Prince Segun Obayendo, the CIoTA President wondered if things have not started falling apart in Nigeria's Transportation sector, which is an all comers sector without the much needed professional regulatory framework in place, asking, "is our transportation system not a true reflection of who we are?
"To measure the spiritual, mental and physical state of a people and Country, you only need to look at how organised their transportation system is, begging the question of how organised is our transportation system in Nigeria. This conference will be emphasising on walking the talk, a departure from just talking about the problems, to proferring real time solutions that will move the sector forward." He stressed.
Obayendo also spoke about the development and deployment of an Information Transport System, ITS which will harmonise transportation data across the country for seamless sector development, citing how Lagos State under its THEME+ agenda set transportation development as a key driver for other developments.
Other topics to be discussed at the conference will include: the Current State of Transportation in Developing Economies: Infrastructure Challenges, Climate Change and Environmental Impacts, Marine Pollution and Control, Rural and Urban Transport Issues, Accessibility and Affordability, Safety and Security Challenges and Solutions.
Disruptive Technologies and Innovations: Electric Vehicles, Shared Mobility Solutions, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Drone deliveries, Data Sharing and Digitisation, Renewable Energy Integration and Green Logistics.
The conference will also consider Human and Cultural Issues in Transportation: Transport Workers and Employees Unions, Law Enforcement personnel, Community-Led Solutions and Grassroots Initiatives. Tourism and Transport.
While Governance, highlighting Policy and Regulatory Frameworks, Institutional Frameworks, Public-Private Partnerships, Capacity Building, Education, Funding and Financing Mechanisms will be critically featured.
Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), a former Commissioner for Transportation and Environment in Lagos State is expected to be a Keynote speaker at the conference.
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