The federal government has given reason for the delay in signing into law the National Transport Commission (NTC) bill as passed earlier this year by the National Assembly.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha who gave the reason in a keynote address he presented at the Stakeholders’ Appreciation Night organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) recently in Lagos said that the federal government was sorting some technicalities and use of language, that would bother on overlap of functions with other agencies and needs to be clearly delineated.
The SGF who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary Political and Economic, Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, however stated that as soon as that was sorted, Nigeria should have a befitting law for the good of the whole.
In his words,” The National Assembly passed the National Transport Commission Bill earlier this year, but we are sorting some technicalities and use of language, that would bother on overlap of functions with other agencies and needs to be clearly delineated. As soon as that is sorted, we should have a befitting law for the good of the whole. I can assure you however that on its part, the Executive is committed to playing its role in the passage of the bill into law”.
He noted that government had dedicated considerable resources towards modernization and standardization of transport infrastructure in Nigeria adding that government had also started work on strengthening the inland roads to provide access to the Inland Dry ports.
According to him,” The Concepts of inland Dry ports is particularly commendable. The initiative will not only reduce cost of moving cargo, but would in fact enhance the revenue/income of host communities and boost regional and national economy at large. At the formal commissioning of the Kaduna inland Dry port In January 2018, Mr. President did also commend bothering the minister and the Nigerian Shippers Council for initiating a project with high potential to create jobs, open up opportunities and reduce threatening of unemployment in the country.
“The Kaduna Inland Dry port Container traffic statistics trend shows that the Federal Government policy on export diversification from oil to non-oil sector, especially in Agriculture and Mineral sector is gradually yielding positive results. Exporters have taken advantage of the inland Port to ship their products directly from Kaduna inland Dry Port to various countries.
“I am also happy to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved and enlisted the Kaduna inland Dry Port among the approved and recognized Ports in Nigeria for all importers to log in on ‘Form M’ e-platform for documentation procedure for all their imports. l urge all businessmen to take advantage of this facility for the overall good of Nigeria”.
He therefore assured that government was open to suggestions that may emanate from the event, in charting a way forward for the maritime sector as well as the transportation industry at large, for the growth and development of the national economy while thanking all stakeholders for upholding and supporting government institutions in the industry.
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