ABUJA/Nigeria: Under the stewardship of Honourable Minister Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Transportation has unveiled an ambitious budget proposal aimed at revolutionizing the country’s transportation landscape in the coming year. The announcement was made during a recent Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee Meeting on Land Transport.
The proposed budget reflects the Ministry’s visionary outlook for Nigeria’s transportation sector, placing substantial focus on the expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure. Plans entail connecting approximately 6,000 kilometers of standard gauge railways and refurbishing an existing 3,505 kilometers of narrow gauge lines.
The aim is to create a network that links Nigeria’s various regions—North and South, East and West—reaching crucial agricultural areas, oil and mineral resource zones, and vital ports, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
Minister Alkali emphasized the broader objectives behind these plans, stating, “Our goal is to close the infrastructural gap in the country, support national economic growth, create employment, generate wealth, and improve the standard of living for all Nigerians.”
Despite grappling with funding challenges and declining revenue, the Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to realizing Nigeria’s Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan. This includes a proposed investment portfolio close to US$35 billion, dedicated to developing a robust and efficient railway transportation system.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria is slated for significant expansion, encompassing infrastructure enhancements, intensified research endeavors, and an extensive training initiative. The institution aims to finalize the establishment of outreach learning centers across four geopolitical zones in the country.
Minister Alkali expressed gratitude to the Joint Committee on Land Transport for their cooperation and unwavering support. He assured the committee of the Ministry’s dedicated commitment to collaborating tirelessly to overhaul Nigeria’s Land Transport Sub-sector, ultimately benefiting all Nigerians.
