Nigeria’s transportation and logistics sector have long struggled to meet up with the required efficiency level which have slowed down the performance level of the sector. As a result, stakeholders have urged for the need for implementing innovative measures to address the problems of the logistics and transportation sector, as well as improve the sector’s efficiency. Especially now that decarbonization is becoming a global phenomenon. The stakeholders raised this concern at the 2022 conference of the annual general meeting of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, which was held in Lagos.
This conference which was themed “Sustainable Innovation in Global Logistics and Transport” witnessed the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo stated that the present trend in global transportation was posed at engendering innovative measures to drastically reduce freight logistics turnaround time and noise pollution, as well as the huge dependence on fossil fuel which have catalyzed the high level of greenhouse gas emission, CO2 in the air. Declaring the commencement of the general meeting, Sambo noted that recognizable innovations have been introduced towards converting freight vehicles to use sustainable fuel, as well as using a more sophisticated information and communication technology to boost efficient logistics.
Organizational ideas and innovative vehicles to be implemented.
Also noted that new organizational ideas in collaboration with innovative vehicles were being implemented to help achieve a sustainable use of resources. Represented by Ibrahim Mohammed Biu, the Deputy Director for Research and Statistics, Sambo stated that the Federal Government was making progress in its efforts of establishing an improvised transport infrastructure to ensure efficient transport and logistics. He revealed that the Port reform program which would decongest the port was being spearheaded to ensure ease of doing business at the ports by taking the port services closer to the importers and exporters.
He also stated the occurrence of a huge shift in the rail, road and maritime connection, so as to reduce the road congestion and increase the competitiveness of the transport and logistics sector. Admitting that the sector still has a lot of areas to improve on, he summoned transport researchers and regulators to work together to create innovative measures that would aid the development of the transportation sector. Sambo also commended the CILT for its consistent efforts in improving the efficiency of the transportation and logistics sector. The National President of CILT Nigeria, Mrs. Mfon Usoro also stated that with the global space moving towards decarbonization, the conference’ efforts were a necessary one, adding that it also fits into the conversation of sustainability measures of how the logistics and transport sector is conducted.
Dr. Bayero urged investors to make transport and logistics efficient.
Usoro, during this event that was well attended by numerous policymakers, legislators, transport and logistics operators, students, lawyers and other academics, stated that the conference is geared to result in a collaborative content development that would further place the country positively in the global Logistics Performance Index. Also, Adebayo Surami, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority said that Nigeria currently faced infrastructural challenges that have hindered the exploitation of our human and natural resources, noting that the development of transport infrastructures was immensely important to improving the economic situation.
Dr. Bayero Salih-Farah, Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, urged the investors make global logistics and transport efficient, economically viable, and environmentally friendly in the aspects of planning, management and operations. He noted that numerous countries, Nigeria included still struggled with managing the carbon blueprint from transport and logistics related activities. He also out pointed that many experts agree on transport and logistics being a major factor of Greenhouse Gas Emissions that threatens the lives of numerous people and environments.
Technological innovations to help address security problems.
He stated that with the sustainable and technological innovations on global logistics would immensely help in addressing recurring safety and security challenges that the logistics and transport sector experiences. Salih-Farah also noted the need to invest in digital transport technology like drones that can track the movement of oil tankers on coastal waters, railways, pipelines, borders and key infrastructure. He noted however that prioritizing investments on new and important areas of transport and logical skills which would keep the country up to date on the development of global transport and logistics.
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World Bank: Website
