Smart National Transport Databank: DG NITT, Bayero Farah Calls For Public-Private Sector Collaboration
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT Zaria, Dr Bayero Salih Farah has said the Smart Transport Databank infrastructure is capital intensive and requires state-of-the arts technologies, therefore the public sector alone cannot cope with the required capital outlay to achieve the project for the whole nation in view of competing demands of resources from other sectors of the National Economy. This therefore calls for collaboration and cross pollination of ideas and material resources. It was this that motivated the institutes to look for investors through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Bayero Farah said this at a one day Stakeholders Engagement Forum with the theme Smart National Transport Databank(NTD) organised by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT Zaria, was declared opened by the Minister of Transportation Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali.
The DG in his address said, “I am pleased to welcome you all, the critical Stakeholders in our Country’s transport sector, to this one-day Stakeholders Engagement Forum on Innovative project titled Smart National Transport Databank (NTB) being implemented by the Institute. The theme of today’s event is: The Strategic Importance of Smart National Transport Databank in Socio-economic Development of Nigeria.
“The theme of this forum is chosen taken cognizance of the Institute’s previous efforts towards the establishment of a functional National Transport Databank (NTD) for the benefit of the Nation’s transport and logistics sector, as well as for National Economic development. Indeed, this project is one of the core mandates of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) as enshrined in the legal instrument establishing the Institute – Decree No. 6 of 1986 now, CAP 116, LFN, 2004.
“The Institute, over the years, has taken series of measures towards achieving the vision of having a functional NTD. These efforts include: the hosting of several workshops in Ibadan 2013, Kaduna in 2014 and the inauguration and hosting of a Technical Workshop tagged ‘’Towards Development of a NTD Bank’’ which was held in Abuja in 2021. Also, in 2022 the Institute initiated the construction of an Intelligence Transport Centre in Zaria that will house the NTD Facilities, and other advanced Technologies for Research and Development in Transport Technology and Innovations in the country.
“This Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum is therefore aimed at securing the buy-in of the stakeholders in the sector such that the implementation of this project would enjoy your full support and commitment in the overall interest of the Nigerian Transport system.
“This event is also to further sensitize participants on emerging best practices around the world and the need for our country to embrace international global trends and best practices in application of digital technology solutions in data analytics which includes, but not limited to Artificial Intelligence (AI), sensing technology and use of RFID to capture data real-time in all modes of transport Nigeria.
However, the Smart Transport Databank infrastructure is capital intensive and requires state-of-the arts technologies. The public sector alone cannot cope with the required capital outlay to achieve the project for the whole nation in view of competing demands of resources from other sectors of the National Economy. This therefore calls for collaboration and cross pollination of ideas and material resources. It was this that motivated the institutes to look for investors through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), as enshrined in relevant laws of the federation. The benefits this project will bring to the country are enormous and the return on investment (ROI) can be very substantial, considering the high demand for transportation services in the country.”
The Minister of Transportation in his keynote opening address highlighted the importance of the Smart National Transport Databank in the national development goals of the government, he therefore urge the participants to contribute by making inputs that would deepen the policy leading to efficient transport system
The Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) calls for synergy between FRSC and NITT because the corps has considerable data on the vehicles and road users that operates in Nigeria.
The representative of the Chief of Air staff, Air Vice Marshal DN Danat thanked the leadership of the NITT for inviting his Boss the Chief of Air Staff to the forum. He said the deliberation at the forum will further enhance transportation policy in Nigeria. He underscore the importance of highly developed transportation system because it will increase agriculture output, boost the economy and commerce. The air force would maintain an existing relationships with NITT; he pledged the airforce support to make the aim of achieving Smart National Transport Databank a realisable.
President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, CIOTA rest on five pillars: road, aviation, railway and others.
He further said without the requisite data on transportation system we cannot attract requisite investment to drive the economy. CiTo will work hand in hand with the NIIT to achieve this goal through collaboration.
Hon. Jalaludeen Chairman of Road transport employers of Nigeria, Kaduna who represented the national chairman, Musa Mohammed spoke on the benefits of Smart National Transport Databank and said it goes beyond transportation sector but also improve the quality of lives through road safety and create new economic opportunities. He therefore thanked and appreciates the leadership of NITT and ministry of transport for the forum and plege continuous support of the body.
On his part, the national chairman of NARTO praised the leadership of NITT that organised the forum to discuss and ponder issues relating to the Smart National Database amongst stakeholders. Assures of NARTO support to achieve the set goals.
The representative of the DG of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission speaks on the ACTs that established the commission and how it supports MDAs for legacy concessions. He Congratulate the DG of NITT and the management for coming up with an important forum to discuss issues of Smart National Transport Databank.
The event which takes place at the Continental Hotels, Abuja had in attendance stakeholders in the transport sector as well as the military and law enforcement agencies..