Poverty Alleviation : Transport Ministry to Create 21 million Jobs in 2025 – Sambo

Poverty Alleviation :
Transport Ministry to Create 21 million Jobs in 2025 – Sambo

The Federal Government is set to create 21million full-time jobs and lift 35 million people out of poverty by 2025.

The Honourable Minister Of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo, made this disclosure.

The Minister in a speech delivered during 2022 Ministerial Retreat, at Ibom Icon Hotel, Akwa-Ibom State, said the Transportation Sector is setting the stage for achieving government’s commitment of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

Engr. Sambo said infrastructure gaps existing in the Sector necessitated the development of National Development Plans; Medium-Term Development Plans 2021-2025 and Long-Term Plan called the Nigeria Agenda 2050.

He pointed out :  “This is to invest massively in infrastructure, ensure macroeconomic stability, enhance investment environment, improve living conditions and implement climate change mitigation.

“This will generate 21 million full-time jobs and lift 35 Million people out of poverty by 2025, thus setting the stage for achieving government’s commitment of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

“The plans are aimed at accelerating the growth of transportation sector in the country with a strategic Medium-Term Vision Statement, which is to have an effective, intermodal, safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable Transportation system contributing positively to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”

He added that the Policy thrusts to drive the vision include; Improving safety and transportation security, Collaboration and synergy amongst transportation stakeholders.

Others are Professionalism and Human Capacity Building, Strengthening institutional governance, regulation and Multi-modal infrastructure development.

According to him, five high-level strategic goals are selected to achieve these policy thrusts of ; Safe and Secure Transportation, Drive Economic Development, Facilitate Connectivity (Intermodal and Multimodal), Develop Local Capacity (Professionalism) and Ensure Sustainability.

His assertions :  “I am well aware that you are all conversant with these high-level goals, as they have become a blueprint for tracking performance towards the delivery of our mandates, addressing bottlenecks militating against the growth of the Transportation Sector and stimulating domestic growth.

“The key Policy Initiatives and Reform Programmes for the Sector are; Implementation of the 25 year Railway Modernisation Programme, the Ports Master Plan and Inland Waterways Transportation Development.

“Others are; The Nigerian Transportation Master-plan (NTM),Tarrifs and costs, Creation of Private Sector led National fleet and Manpower capacity development.”

Muazu Jaji Sambo acknowledged that efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari led administration have been concentrated on expansion and modernisation of the Nation’s Transportation System, which resulted in numerous achievements in Rail, Maritime and Road Sub-sectors.

He reiterated that the provision of transportation infrastructure will always be work in progress for any nation that desires rapid development.

He emphasised :  “This is what informed my call to you to identify and implement low-hanging fruits as stated at the briefing Sessions held from 14th July – 1st August 2022 on my assumption of duty in the Ministry.

“With the recent presentations on investment opportunities that exist in the Transportation Sector at various fora, I am optimistic that there will be influx of international private investors’ patronage in the Sector soon.

“I therefore, implore us all to leverage this Retreat to galvanise the Transportation Sector, to become more competitive, efficient and productive”.

He further commended Prince Ademola Adegoroye, Dr Magdalene Ajani and all members of staff of the Ministry for their support and diligence.