THE Federal Government is seeking the timely passage of National Transportation Policy (NTP) bill by the National Assembly to enhance the productive capacity of the transport sector in revenue generation and job creation in Nigeria.

Speaking at the weekend in Abuja at the forum of state commissioners of transportation across the country, the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Zakari Saliu stated that the policy will enable and guide the participation of the private sector in the transportation business.

“I do not think that Issues of the National importance of this nature would not attract the accent of the presidency. Here we are talking about the policies that will put to rest some National irregularities such as bad transportation policy or non-existence of it.

He continued, “what I am saying is that the Senate is there to perform it’s constitutional duties at all times because that is why they are there to make laws”. He stated further that what delays the quick passage of bills is usually grey areas that infringe on the constitutional rights of other citizens.”

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Amaechi said the NTP bill seeks to regulate the transport industry in a manner that will increased revenue generation and equally boost Nigeria’s economy. “I think that such bill (transport policy) if followed like the practice in other countries will waste no time here”.

He commended the commissioners for their efforts in support of the quick passage of the bill. Noting that government before now has placed transportation on concurrent list of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 1999, which translates that states must take steps to develop their transportation system in line with the best practices.

“we can say that the formation of this forum at this particular time is laudable and commendable because it will help to achieve consensus in key areas of the development of the road transport sub-sector which the nation has locked hitherto”.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of state commissioners of transportation forum, Orman Eating, stated that the forum is to usher in harmonised policies that will ensure a coordinated and standard system operation at the Federal level as well as the state level.

He said that some of the policies are to ensure that multi taxation and illegal taxation is eradicated. “we want to ensure that vehicles, as well as commercial motorcycles, are registered so as to put to rest the multi taxation being experienced by commercial motorists”.

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