By Nnasom David

Stakeholders in the aviation, transportation and marine sectors have called for the proper harnessing of the potentials in the sectors to achieve seamless and resilient transportation network.

The stakeholders stated this on Thursday, at the 4th edition of the annual workshop organised by the Abuja Transportation and Aviation Correspondents Association (ATACA), with the theme: “Harnessing the Aviation, Railway, Marine and Blue Economy Sectors for Sustainable Transportation in Nigeria”.

Speaking at the event, the minister of transportation, Senator Said Alkali has called for effective media reportage that markets the essential services carried out by the transportation sector to support the economy.

Represented by his technical adviser, Dr Shuaib Danwaka, the minister urged the media to remain committed, diligent and professional in discharging their public information dissemination role to carry the teeming Nigerians along in appreciating the dynamics of the present administration’s transformative agenda of prioritising transportation on top scale of its governance strategy.

While congratulating ATACA for choosing a theme that will respond to national and global realities which recognised transportation as a strong enabler of economic growth, the minister said, “It is my hope that the event will address the critical issues that constitute impediments towards the effectiveness of land, air and marine transportation in Nigeria”.

Also, president, Nigeria Bangladesh Business Technology Forum, Arc. Bob Achanya, who spoke on the ‘Nexus of Multimodal Transportation Systems’, noted that the concept of multimodal transportation is not new, however, its strategic integration within Nigeria’s emerging blue economy framework offers unparalleled opportunities.

While noting that the aviation, railway, and marine sectors, when interconnected efficiently, create a seamless and resilient transportation network, he added that this network enhances connectivity, reduces transportation costs, and boosts the overall efficiency of the country’s logistics and supply chain systems.

Speaking on some ongoing projects within the sectors, Achanya said in Aviation sector, we have the expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the new terminals at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja; in the marine sector, we have the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, valued at $1.5 billion, which is a game-changer, poised to become the largest deep-sea port in West Africa; also, on the Blue economy, he noted that initiatives like the Nigeria-Kenya Integrated Blue Economy Strategy Forum and the proposed Nigeria-Kenya Blue Economy Transition Strategy Summit are all steps in the right direction.

He further noted that the integration of multimodal transportation systems within Nigeria’s emerging blue economy presents a unique opportunity to foster sustainable economic growth, adding that, “by leveraging the strengths of our aviation, road, railway, marine, and blue economy sectors, we can create a resilient and efficient transportation network that drives national relevance and prosperity”.

Meanwhile, the chairman of ATACA, Oru Leonard, while delivering his welcome address, said for the country’s transportation system and businesses, whether Air, Land or Sea to thrive, there must be security and safety elements in place.