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Transportation ministers, corps marshal, 37 others receive CIOTA Fellow awards

Published

1 year ago

March 30, 2023

Why FG must scrap Ministry of Works – Opeifa

The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA) has conferred its prestigious Fellow award on 40 distinguished Nigerians including Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo; Minister of State at the ministry, Ademola Adegoroye, and Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, and his counterpart in Abia State, Nwanoruo Godswill Uche, also received the institute’s fellow award at a ceremony held in Lagos on Wednesday.

The event also saw the induction of 84 full members, 57 associate members and seven graduate members.

Chairman at the event and former Lagos commissioner for transportation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, describing the event as heartwarming and should rub well on the nation’s economy.

He also called for the abolition of the Federal Ministry of Works, whose responsibilities had been the construction of roads and bridges that could be better done by the transport ministry.

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Opeifa, who is executive director at the Centre for Sustainable Mobility and Access Development (CensMAD), said the Ministry of Works should be a department

under the transportation ministry as applicable in other jurisdictions.

According to him, this is aimed at ensuring that transportation professionals are empowered to design, and implement infrastructure developments especially roads and bridges for smooth growth and development of the sector.

“Time has come for the country to address the issue of the relationship between the Ministry of Transportation and that of the Ministry of Works,” he said.

Opeifa also said, “We insist that any road or bridge project that would be embarked upon by the Ministry of Works ought to be guided by the Ministry of Transportation; that is if the works is not dismantled entirely. In South Africa, Ghana, and even in the United Kingdom, Germany and elsewhere, they no longer have Ministry of Works. Let the Ministry of Transportation handle its designs, build and operate the roads and infrastructure.”

Minister of State for Transportation, Adegoroye, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Mr Fola Ayegbusi, said the ministry would continue to be receptive to ideas that could transform the sector and reposition the industry.

Prof Calistus Ibe, a Fellow of the institute and lecturer at the University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), said the time had come for CIOTA to take its rightful place to regulate the transportation sector and sanitise the industry.

Ibe, who also delivered a

lecture on ‘Professional Development in Transport, an investment for future success’, said the professionals in the sector must rescue the industry from the hands of charlatans.

Lagos State Co

mmissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said Lagos, with a population size of over 22 million people, had designed its transportation in a way to reduce the pain encountered on the roads in the state.

He gave some of the initiatives as the introduction of BRT buses and recently the First Mile and Last Mile (FMLM) buses; the channelization of new water channels; the installation of waterway control centre to improve waterway security and the introduction of two colour-coded rail systems as well as a single payment system – the Cowry Card to ensure seamless fare payments across all the modes of transportation in the state.

President of CIOTA, Segun Obayendo, said the Institute was determined to embark on a massive membership drive to ensure that the foremost chartered institute becomes the lead institute in the country.

One of the new fellows, ex-DG of Delta State Traffic Management Authority, Stephen K. Dieseruvwe, spoke on the what is expected of new inductees of the institute.

“As a fellow of the institute, one knows one has been called to duty and needs the best professional foot forward. That what I intend to do. Being a transport professional awarded the fellow of the institute, a lot of is expected from us to help drive the industry and guide the younger ones,” he said.

Another Fellow awardee, Charles Okorefe, who is managing director, Kamany Marine Services Limited, said in an interview, “The fellowship of any institute is the highest rank you can attain. Getting there means you are seen as somebody who has something to give back to that profession. You must have paid your dues and ready to give value.”

News

NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country to panic buying and sharp practices by some petroleum marketers. However, petroleum marketers have refuted these claims, asserting that inadequate supply is the primary reason for the persistent scarcity.

The NNPC has assured the public that fuel queues across the country will dissipate by next week, affirming that it possesses sufficient fuel reserves to resolve the scarcity issue. This statement comes in response to concerns raised by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other stakeholders regarding the scarcity of petroleum products.

Earlier assurances from the NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, indicated that the corporation had over 1.5 billion litres of petroleum products available, enough to last for at least 30 days. However, some individuals were allegedly exploiting the situation for profit.

Despite these assurances, petroleum marketers argue that they are not responsible for the persistent fuel scarcity, as they are not the importers of petrol. According to the National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, blaming marketers for hoarding petrol is unfounded, as they can only divert the product if it is available.

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Furthermore, Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, emphasized that independent marketers operate their businesses to maximize profit and return on investment. He highlighted the challenges faced by marketers in ensuring product availability and dismissed allegations of sharp practices.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, acknowledged the existence of sharp practices within the oil sector but argued that it is too simplistic to attribute the fuel scarcity solely to such practices.

To address the fuel scarcity effectively, stakeholders emphasize the need for increased distribution of petroleum products by regulatory authorities. They also call for the involvement of security agencies to deter profiteering and ensure fair distribution to consumers across the country.

NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, marketers deny allegations

News

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

Lagos State Government has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to illegal squatters at abandoned Ikoyi Towers, Lagos Island to evacuate.

The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the notice on Saturday, during an inspection of some identified sites, including the abandoned Federal Government property, Ikoyi Towers.

The Ikoyi Towers, located behind the abandoned Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, comprise of three blocks of 12 floors, tagged: A, B and C.

Wahab said the quit notice has become necessary to protect lives which is the primary function of any responsible and responsive government.

According to him, “Apart from constituting an environmental nuisance, they are security risk to the state which can be used as hideouts for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious acts.

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“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is passionate about the well-being and safety of all citizens and would spare nothing to ensure these ate achieved.”

The occupants of the building, who are largely security personnel, appealed to the commissioner to give more time inorder to make proper arrangement for relocation as they have no place to go immediately.

One of the occupants, who simply identified himself as Mallam Abubakar, from Ilorin, Kwara State, said he is a Police Spy, and moved into the building in November 2023.

According to Abubakar,”The agent collected N200, 000, one off rent from each of the occupant, numbering hundreds of us.

“We have our families here. Our children are in schools. Where do we go from here? Government should have compassion on us this harsh economy.”

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

News

Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

Published

5 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association to devise ways of producing vehicles that would be affordable for all categories of Nigerians.

He said this is necessary as the government rolls out consumer credit for millions of Nigerians to purchase vehicles and other important goods and services.

He also urged the delegation to ensure that locally manufactured vehicles are of the highest standard that would stand the test of time, and complement the government’s efforts in revitalising the automotive industry.

Tinubu said this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association in Aso Rock presidential villa on Friday, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday in Abuja.

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The delegation had earlier notified the President of their efforts to start manufacturing vehicle and spare parts in Nigeria.