Harboursandport.com: Lagos, Nigeria – June 12, 2026: Stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport sector have raised alarm over the country’s continued overreliance on road infrastructure, warning that failure to urgently integrate road, rail, and waterways could jeopardize economic growth and sustainability.
This concern dominated discussions at a press conference ahead of the 4th Global Transport Policy, GTP Annual Multimodal Roundtable, scheduled for June 17, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Chairman of Widescope Group, Segun Musa, stressed that government alone cannot drive the transformation of Nigeria’s transport sector, urging private and non-state actors to play a more active role. “We must collectively position the transport sector to revamp the economy rapidly,” he said.
Musa explained that this year’s theme, “Transforming Nigeria’s Transport System: Integrating Solutions for Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability”, reflects the growing consensus that isolated development of transport modes is no longer viable. He emphasized that shifting cargo movement to rail and waterways is critical to easing pressure on Nigeria’s overstretched roads.
Iyiola Oni of the University of Lagos underscored the inefficiencies caused by poor coordination among transport modes, noting that billions invested in roads are undermined by heavy cargo traffic that should be handled by rail. “A comprehensive multimodal system is the only way to reduce congestion, cut costs, and improve efficiency,” he said.
Oni also called for clearer institutional roles across ministries and agencies, as well as reforms in road ownership structures, pointing out that over 60 percent of Nigeria’s roads fall under local governments with limited capacity.
Chief Operating Officer of GTP, Mark Onuchi, said the roundtable would serve as a platform for collaboration among industry players, innovators, and policymakers. He revealed that the event will bring together over 400 participants, including top government officials, industry leaders, and international stakeholders.
Onuchi added that the roundtable aims to produce actionable strategies and a communique to guide government policies, with a focus on building an integrated ecosystem where road, rail, and water transport systems work seamlessly together.
Stakeholders agreed that without urgent reforms, Nigeria risks falling behind in global trade competitiveness, as future ports and transport systems will be defined not only by infrastructure but by people—particularly dockworkers and logistics professionals who remain central to operations.
The upcoming roundtable is expected to chart a sustainable path for Nigeria’s transport future, with emphasis on investment in a resilient workforce, seamless mobility for economic growth, and safe, smart mobility for a greener future.
No comments:
Post a Comment