Following a recent stakeholder forum, Nigeria's transportation officials are calling on states to accelerate urban mobility projects to address the challenges posed by a rapidly growing urban population. The initiative aims to improve transport efficiency, affordability, and sustainability, with support from the World Bank and other partners. The forum emphasized the urgent need for action, highlighting the potential for significant congestion and financial strain on commuters, especially low-income households.
Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation and Chairman of the Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum ( NTCF ), Gbenga Dairo , has emphasized the crucial need for states to accelerate urban mobility projects, following the recent National Urban Mobility Programme ( NUMP ) stakeholder forum held in Abuja.
The forum served as a platform for state commissioners, federal officials, and development partners, including the World Bank, to discuss and strategize on addressing the escalating challenges of urban transportation in Nigeria. Mr. Dairo highlighted the urgency of the situation, citing projections that Nigeria's urban population will more than double to 264 million by 2050. This rapid growth is expected to place immense pressure on existing transport infrastructure, leading to increased congestion, delays, and financial strain on commuters, particularly low-income households. The commissioner pointed out that commuters in major cities are already losing up to four hours daily due to traffic congestion, and a significant portion of earnings for low-income families is being spent on transportation costs, a situation he deemed unsustainable. This call to action underscores the critical need for proactive measures to improve the efficiency, affordability, and sustainability of urban transport systems across the country. \The World Bank, represented by its Country Director, Mathew Vergis, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria's urban mobility initiatives. The World Bank pledged to provide financial assistance, technical expertise, and advisory services to help states implement and manage urban mobility projects effectively. This collaborative approach between the federal government, state governments, and international development partners is essential for driving impactful change and creating lasting solutions to the transportation challenges. Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, also contributed to the discussions, emphasizing the importance of clear guidelines for financing, long-term maintenance, and inter-agency coordination to ensure the smooth execution and sustainability of urban mobility projects. This highlights the crucial need for a comprehensive approach that considers all aspects of project implementation, from initial funding to ongoing maintenance and efficient management. The stakeholder forum offered a valuable opportunity to identify common challenges, share best practices, and develop a coordinated strategy for addressing the complex issues surrounding urban transportation in Nigeria. \Under the leadership of Mr. Dairo, the NTCF has taken proactive steps to drive progress. States were instructed to prepare and submit 'shovel-ready' projects for Phase 1 investment, indicating a commitment to immediate action. Furthermore, the NTCF directed states to integrate existing Nigeria Public Transportation Program (NPTP) assets, such as terminals, rail systems, and CNG infrastructure, into their urban mobility plans to maximize the impact of investments. States that had not yet completed NUMP engagement surveys were urged to do so promptly. The summit highlighted the active participation of commissioners and officials from various states, with presentations from Cross River, FCT, Kaduna, and Lagos shaping the next phase of the NUMP. Mr. Dairo concluded by reiterating the call for all states to take swift action to ensure that Nigeria's urban transport systems are prepared for the growing population. He also stressed the importance of leveraging international support for sustainable and inclusive infrastructure development, underscoring the need for a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to address the country's urban mobility challenges
Urban Mobility Transportation Nigeria Infrastructure Congestion World Bank NTCF NUMP Gbenga Dairo Sustainable Development
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Seek reconciliation rather than futile legal battle – Oyo PDP urges Turaki, others The Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has enjoined the faction of the party led by Tanimu Turaki to seek reconciliation rather than pursuing futile legal battle. Chairman of the caretaker committee, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso made this declaration via a statement made available to DAILY POST Friday evening.
Read more »
Ebonyi killings: Fish out perpetrators – Community urges security agencies, govtThe Nzuko Edda General Assembly has called on the Ebonyi State Government and the security agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute suspected Amasiri warlords involved in the recent attack on Okporojo community in Edda Local Government Area.
Read more »
Kaduna Governor Urges North West Development Commission to Focus on ResultsKaduna State Governor Uba Sani called on the North West Development Commission to prioritize concrete results and collaboration with state governments, rather than just producing reports, during the North West Stakeholders Development Summit. He emphasized the need for actionable plans, clear timelines, and measurable outcomes, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional challenges like insecurity and economic disparities. Sani sees the commission as a strategic partner to harmonize priorities and unlock economies of scale, focusing on aligning education with the modern economy, promoting skills acquisition, and transforming agriculture. He also stressed the importance of investing in the region's youth and commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the commission.
Read more »
Tinubu Names APC Leaders: State Governors Now Lead in Their Respective StatesPresident Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced that APC governors are now the leaders of the party in their respective states. This was revealed during the official reception of Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, who recently defected to the APC. The President expressed support for Governor Kefas and urged Taraba residents to back him. He also encouraged other states like Adamawa and Bauchi to join the APC.
Read more »
Sparks that ignited Nigerian nationalism, By Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu YusufPremium Times - Nigeria'bs leading online newspaper, delivering breaking news and deep investigative reports from Nigeria
Read more »
Tinubu Declares State Governors as APC Leaders, Urges Support for KefasPresident Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, affirmed that state governors are the leaders of the APC in their states, specifically mentioning Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State. He urged support for the Governor and expressed hope for other states to join the APC.
Read more »