Transport Professionals Applaud Jamoh For Strides As CIoTA President
· As Chief Of Army Staff Commends Institute
Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has been commended for his efforts in transforming and promoting the transportation sector as President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA).
He received the commendation at the fourth National Transport Summit of the Institute in Abuja on Tuesday.
Also, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies pledged their support towards the growth and development of the country’s transportation sector to international standards, expressing their willingness to collaborate with CIoTA to achieve the feat.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Faruq Yahaya, who was represented by Maj-Gen. E. Akerejola, commended the President and members of the CIoTA for the many economic sectors it had impacted positively over the years from facilitating international trade, supporting food security and enabling industrial and infrastructure development.
The COAS stated that the theme of the summit: Transport Safety And Security Administration In Nigeria, was also apt and timely, as it represents an important aspect of the transportation sector, which has often been overlooked by many including transport professionals and academics.
“Over the years, the transportation sector has witnessed a series of issues and challenges ranging from poor infrastructure, poor regulations, limited specialised professional training institutions, lack of effective and efficient transport policies, intra-industry squabbles among transport professionals to unethical practices and poor working conditions among others,” he said.
He reassured the institute of the Nigerian Army’s resolve to support the transportation sector whenever and wherever necessary.
On his part, Jamoh, whose speech was read by Prof. Samuel Odewumi, noted that the theme for this year’s summit focused on the safety and security of the transportation sector in Nigeria, adding: “We were able to achieve the Chartering of the Institute, Renewed Advocacy, Vigorous Membership Drive and Certification.
“This year’s summit focuses on safety and security on all transportation modes, hence we must all work together as stakeholders and custodians of the transportation sector of Nigeria. Safety and security are paramount to achieving a robust and intermodal transport regime in Nigeria.
“CIoTA is the only statutory professional association in charge of the Transportation Industry in Nigeria; therefore deserves to be accorded its place in the nomination of members into relevant agencies and in consultations for policy formulation and implementation strategies. It is the right thing to do. As a Chartered Institute, our role is very huge; with great opportunities and challenges. Let’s focus on the job at hand.”
Also speaking at the event, Executive Secretary, of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, who was represented by Chief C.C. Agu, said: “Without security and safety, it is not possible to develop the transportation sector because transportation itself happens to be the catalyst for the development of the economy.”
He charged all participants at the summit to come up with a standard to bring sanity to the country’s transportation systems.
Other speakers at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria, the Rector, of International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara State, Col. Yakubu Okatahi and representative of the Ogun State Governor and Commandant of TRACE, Prince Olaseni Ogunyemi, among others.