In a shocking revelation, the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) released a report on Tuesday disclosing that over 200 lives were lost due to boat accidents across seven states in Nigeria this year.
The affected states include Kwara, Calabar, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Ondo. This grim statistic adds to the broader concern of thousands of deaths from road crashes reported nationwide.
The disconcerting findings were presented at the institute’s 5th annual national summit in Abuja, themed “Emerging National Governance Challenges and Prospects.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing the Federal Government, outlined the administration’s vision for reforming the country’s transportation sector during the summit.
CIOTA President Segun Obayendo addressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “Recent incidents across all transport modes in Nigeria have sounded a clarion call for urgent and decisive action.”
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive national overview of the transportation sector, advocating for the establishment of a National Transport Policy and the strengthening of regulatory frameworks.
“Does our country have a National Transport Policy? Where are we on the National Transport Commission? How strong is our regulatory framework?
” This is the crux of the theme of this summit,” Obayendo remarked, highlighting the critical questions that need answers to enhance safety and efficiency in the transportation industry.
The Vice President, represented by Special Adviser Aliyu Modibbo, acknowledged the challenges posed by the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and assured that the government would address transportation challenges associated with this policy change.
Shettima underscored the importance of a functional transportation system in achieving the government’s priorities, ranging from food security to job creation.
“We will find it useful to have suggestions from the institute, well-thought-out policy enunciation, transportation infrastructure designs, and effective operational management strategies in all modes of transportation.”
Shettima affirmed, signaling the government’s openness to collaborate with CIOTA in shaping the future of the nation’s transportation landscape.
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