GAR3TH
January 16th, 2009, 09:41 PM
Ministry of Transport
MANDATE
Build a world class transport system that is convenient and affordable in Rivers State and ensure proper regulatory standards are put in place.
POLICY OBJECTIVES
Transform the transport sector in terms of infrastructure, enforcement, regulations and through enlightenment for capacity building.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Determined to drive the Ministry into realizing its objective, the following achievements have been recorded within the one year of the present administration.
*Entered into partnership with Skye Bank to run and manage public transportation in the state
*Paid outstanding six months allowances of staff of the State Traffic Marshall Corp.
*Acquired a taxi boat in addition to paying cost of spare parts from Portugal to facilitate early shipment
*Commenced enforcement of commercial motor cycle law
*Planned introduction of mono rail mass transit system
*Trained 10 engineers and 10 skippers in Portugal
*Took delivery of 34 new Tata buses ordered by the last administration
*Built 59 bus stops along Aba road
*Deployed 50 taxis for internal mass transit within Port Harcourt
*Re-positioned the ministry to play necessary regulatory roles
*Developed synergy with other stakeholders in the sector
ENHANCING TRANSPORTATION IN RIVERS STATE
Rivers State is among the few states in Nigeria that maintains aircrafts, water and road transportation; however, their co-ordination and effectiveness have not always been the best. Because the sector is largely public sector driven, enforcement of standards has always being a problem.
The present administration under Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi realising this is raising to the relevant standards by taking an approach that would link the state to the future and challenge the private sector to wake up to the demands of modern transportation.
Government has consequently introduced decent, cheap and organized bus services on some major routes. It is also working on the introduction of a mono rail mass transit system, the first of its kind in Nigeria. Similarly, a water taxi scheme is also in the wings. Land transport appears to exact more pressure because of the challenges presented by bad roads, excesses of commercial motor cycle operators and general disregard for traffic rules. These, government has also confronted in the most decisive ways.
While the massive road maintenance campaign is sure to reduce the burden brought about by bad roads, the enforcement of the commercial motor cycle law and the directive to stop their operation at night have already brought a lot of respite for residents of the state capital.
Government has also commenced the building of 59 model bus stop terminals along Aba Road. This would eliminate excuses given by commercial transporters for stopping almost anywhere to pick or drop commuters in the city.
To ensure reasonable control, government has also created a traffic department in the Ministry of Transport to carry out effective supervision of traffic in the state. In fact, the Ministry itself has been repositioned to flow with the new vision for transportation in the state.
This effort also involves the creation of a synergy with the various stakeholders and agencies. The liaison with the Federal Roads Safety Commission and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has grown tremendously.
In the meantime, government has taken delivery of 34 new big Tata buses and injected 50 taxis for internal mass transit within Port Harcourt. In fact, the partnership with the private sector is finding more expression as the ministry quarterly for a ministry's safety programme is being strengthened.
The aircrafts owned by the state; Dash 8Q200 and legacy aircraft have perfect bills of entry, while the duties on them are being processed. In line with the plan to achieve top efficiency in the sector, training has also received good attention.
10 engineers and 10 skippers are in Portugal to bring home the necessary technology for the operation of water taxis. Very soon, the ills of the transport sector would be history in Rivers State and Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi is to be thanked.
MANDATE
Build a world class transport system that is convenient and affordable in Rivers State and ensure proper regulatory standards are put in place.
POLICY OBJECTIVES
Transform the transport sector in terms of infrastructure, enforcement, regulations and through enlightenment for capacity building.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Determined to drive the Ministry into realizing its objective, the following achievements have been recorded within the one year of the present administration.
*Entered into partnership with Skye Bank to run and manage public transportation in the state
*Paid outstanding six months allowances of staff of the State Traffic Marshall Corp.
*Acquired a taxi boat in addition to paying cost of spare parts from Portugal to facilitate early shipment
*Commenced enforcement of commercial motor cycle law
*Planned introduction of mono rail mass transit system
*Trained 10 engineers and 10 skippers in Portugal
*Took delivery of 34 new Tata buses ordered by the last administration
*Built 59 bus stops along Aba road
*Deployed 50 taxis for internal mass transit within Port Harcourt
*Re-positioned the ministry to play necessary regulatory roles
*Developed synergy with other stakeholders in the sector
ENHANCING TRANSPORTATION IN RIVERS STATE
Rivers State is among the few states in Nigeria that maintains aircrafts, water and road transportation; however, their co-ordination and effectiveness have not always been the best. Because the sector is largely public sector driven, enforcement of standards has always being a problem.
The present administration under Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi realising this is raising to the relevant standards by taking an approach that would link the state to the future and challenge the private sector to wake up to the demands of modern transportation.
Government has consequently introduced decent, cheap and organized bus services on some major routes. It is also working on the introduction of a mono rail mass transit system, the first of its kind in Nigeria. Similarly, a water taxi scheme is also in the wings. Land transport appears to exact more pressure because of the challenges presented by bad roads, excesses of commercial motor cycle operators and general disregard for traffic rules. These, government has also confronted in the most decisive ways.
While the massive road maintenance campaign is sure to reduce the burden brought about by bad roads, the enforcement of the commercial motor cycle law and the directive to stop their operation at night have already brought a lot of respite for residents of the state capital.
Government has also commenced the building of 59 model bus stop terminals along Aba Road. This would eliminate excuses given by commercial transporters for stopping almost anywhere to pick or drop commuters in the city.
To ensure reasonable control, government has also created a traffic department in the Ministry of Transport to carry out effective supervision of traffic in the state. In fact, the Ministry itself has been repositioned to flow with the new vision for transportation in the state.
This effort also involves the creation of a synergy with the various stakeholders and agencies. The liaison with the Federal Roads Safety Commission and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has grown tremendously.
In the meantime, government has taken delivery of 34 new big Tata buses and injected 50 taxis for internal mass transit within Port Harcourt. In fact, the partnership with the private sector is finding more expression as the ministry quarterly for a ministry's safety programme is being strengthened.
The aircrafts owned by the state; Dash 8Q200 and legacy aircraft have perfect bills of entry, while the duties on them are being processed. In line with the plan to achieve top efficiency in the sector, training has also received good attention.
10 engineers and 10 skippers are in Portugal to bring home the necessary technology for the operation of water taxis. Very soon, the ills of the transport sector would be history in Rivers State and Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi is to be thanked.