*As Olugbade, Tumaka, Folarin, Moghalu, Others Get Fellows
The Minister of Transportation, Engr. Muazu Sambo has hailed the consistency of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in the delivery of its mandate over the years.
He expressed delight that the institute has not taken off its eyes on the primary purpose for its establishment by enhancing efficiency in the transportation industry through the development of capacity in the art and science of logistics, transport and supply chain management.
Sambo who stated this recently while opening the two-day conference and the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) organized by the CILT on the theme “Sustainable Innovations in Global Logistics and Transport”, noted that the theme was apt since it reflects the current trends in the transportation industry across the globe.
His words: “The world is going green, engendering innovations to reduce the heavy dependence on fossil fuels, the cause of high levels of CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce freight logistics turnaround time, noise pollution etc. There have been numerous innovations geared towards converting freight vehicles to use sustainable fuels, employing advanced information and communication technologies for more efficient logistics, implementing new organisational concepts in combination with innovative vehicles, combination of modes, such as rail, roads, and inland waterways to achieve optimum and sustainable use of resources”.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Ibrahim Mohammed Biu disclosed that the Federal Government was making serious efforts to establish critical transport infrastructure to ensure sustainable transportation and logistics.
According to him, the port reform programme which is aimed at decongesting the seaports and taking shipping and port services closer to importers and exporters is attracting the desired attention. The recent Dala Inland Dry Port declaration as port of origin and destination is a major milestone in that regard. In the same vein, measures are being put in place to ensure ease of doing business at the ports. There has been a massive shift for the connection of the rail, road and maritime subsector to reduce road traffic congestion and increase the competitive edge of the transport and logistics sector.
He enjoined CILT Nigeria to avail her wealth of knowledge and experience to effectively support the transportation industry.
CILT National President, Mrs. Mfon Usoro in her welcome address said the 2022 conference agrees with the global conversation about sustainability principles in how businesses, in particular, the logistics and transport sector are conducted.
Usoro who was hitherto the Secretary General of Abuja MoU and pioneer Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) noted that there was something for every participant in the conference.
Her words: “The Conference literally has something for everyone, policy makers, legislators, transport and logistics operators, academia, lawyers and students”.
Former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi in his remarks as the chairman of the AGM called for CILT membership as a pre-requisite for employment in the transport industry in the country.
Sarumi who is also a Fellow of the institute argued that logistics
and transport are key drivers for economic development in any country that is desirous of the sustainable development in any country.
He tasked CILT on the need to initiate a transport and logistics research fund with the active collaboration of key players in the private and government sectors.
His words: “The purpose of CILT is to promote, encourage and co-ordinate the study, planning and advancement of the science and art of transport, logistics and supply chain operations in all their branches; to extend, increase, disseminate knowledge and exchange ideas and information; to assist and further in all practicable ways, the development and improvement of transport, logistics and supply chain operations in the higher interests of society. Transport infrastructure remains germane to the promotion of economic growth, improved standard of living, poverty reduction, enhanced productivity and improved competitiveness.
“Nigeria is currently faced with huge infrastructural gaps that have hindered its desire to exploit her rich natural and human resources. All the foregoing investments and deployment must combine to give a nation a high logistics performance index (LPI). To achieve this, a comprehensive evaluation of the institutions and parties that drive and participate in the transportation value chain is required. Government institutions as well as private institutions and parties must key into a common agenda and demonstrate professional competencies; they must give proof of clear understanding of issues, show willingness and passion to perform synergistically and efficiently”.
No fewer than 29 speakers and experts, dissecting various topics for discussion and recommending practical solutions at the conference which was also used to confer fellowship awards on personalities.
These include the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu; Chairman of Port Consultative Council (NPCC) Otunba Kunle Folarin; the former Director of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka and former Alternate Permanent Representatives (APR) at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Captain Ibraheem Olugbade.
Others were the Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Mr. Sam Nwakohu, Lagos base business tycoon, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Onwordi Oforkanji Emmanuel, Alaga Abdulwaheed Ajibola and the Rector of MAN Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua.
