Federal Government Moves to Lower Transport Costs Through Road-Rail Integration
The Federal Government has announced plans to connect road and rail networks to the nation's ports as part of efforts to cut transportation costs, enhance productivity and drive economic growth.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during the 19th National Council on Transportation, where he also unveiled the National Land Transport Policy (NLTP).
Represented by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Aliyu Umar, Shettima said the administration is moving away from isolated infrastructure projects toward interconnected transport corridors that facilitate the movement of people and goods.
He explained that the ongoing railway modernisation programme is designed to restore national connectivity and link production centres, markets and ports.
"Transportation is the link between economic potential, prosperity and the circulation system of production," Shettima said.
"Rail must connect to roads; rail to production centres and markets, while roads provide first- and last-mile access. Ports must connect to rail and roads."
The Vice President noted that the Tinubu administration is also pursuing the Kaduna-Maradi railway project to strengthen domestic connectivity, cross-border trade and regional integration.
He urged stakeholders to ensure approved transport projects transition from planning to execution, emphasising that successful integration depends on effective regulation, technology and institutional collaboration.
Former Transportation Minister Said Alkali described the NLTP as the first comprehensive policy of its kind for the transport sector since Nigeria's independence.
Alkali said the absence of a comprehensive land transport policy had previously hindered the ministry's ability to regulate the sector effectively. He added that the new policy aligns with the administration's eight-point priority agenda and establishes a framework for a fast, safe, efficient, affordable and integrated intermodal transport system.