National Transport Policy : Can Mu’azu Jaji Sambo Wear The Golden Crown ?

National Transport Policy :
Can Mu’azu Jaji Sambo Wear The Golden Crown ?

* An indelible legacy for generations to come

* Nigeria, a nation in search of National Transport Policy at 62 anniversary  !!!

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo can write his name in gold, if he succeeds in giving Nigeria, the much talked-about National Transport Policy, which has become elusive; and
the industry has not been able to achieve for decades since its existence.

Any government functionary, who achieves this great milestone will not only wear the Golden Crown of an outstanding achiever; but will leave an indelible legacy for generations to come.

Getting a National Transport Policy in place will be such a remarkable feat, which will go down in the history of Transport sector and the Nigerian nation at large.

At 62 years of Independence, Nigeria as a maritime nation cannot boast of a National Transport Policy !!!

The questions now are; Can Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, make a difference?
Who will wear this golden crown of exemplary leader ?

Thus, only three days ago, precisely on September 29, 2022, during the World Maritime Day celebration at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos,
Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo,, said his vision is to give Nigeria a National Transport Policy. Our correspondent observed that the time was exactly 4.30 pm, when the Minister made that important declaration.

Engr Sambo, who was appointed Minister of Transportation only two months ago, at the twilight of President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime gave assurance that the Transport industry under his watch will achieve a National Policy. The Minister was calmed and unassuming in making that declaration; but he spoke with boldness and so much confidence.

Could September 29, 2022 be the turning point in the history of Nigerian transport sector ?
Well, time will tell, as industry players, stakeholders, the media and entire nation are watching to see how Engr. Sambo walks the talk with exemplary leadership acumen, which the industry yearns for.

Sambo, who spoke with Journalists at the sidelines of the event, stated emphatically that his vision includes a National Transport Policy and revamping Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, considering huge sums of money the Federal Government has invested in Railway.

His exact words :
“I am a team player and I want us to work as a team. At the moment, Nigeria does not have a National Transport Policy. We are working hard to get a National Transport Policy in place soon. Achieving this will mean leaving a legacy in the industry.

“Nigeria is blessed with natural resources of ocean and inland waterways. If we remove self interest, we can achieve a lot together.”

The Minister continued :
“Also, I want to see Nigerian Railway Corporation that was abandoned revamped. Before I came, plans were on to unbundle the agency.

“The Federal Government has invested a lot of money in fixing the rails, both standard and non-standard gauges. As such, we can give out some of the lines to private operators to run, so that the system can be very competitive. This is my vision for Railway Corporation.
I pray that my team joins me in running this vision successfully, because this administration is working tirelessly towards unbundling of NRC, in order to make it more functional.”

Speaking further, the Minister debunked recent media report that the Federal Government was losing over N30 billion as monthly revenue due the stoppage of train services on Abuja-Kaduna route, following the incident, which took place on March 28, 2022. He described the report as false and a fabrication by the writer.

According to him, the Railway Corporation will make public its revenue figures for the public to know the truth soon.