GORONYO CALLS FOR STRONGER MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM, SAYS ROADS REMAIN BACKBONE OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The *Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE* represented by the *Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq.,*has called for a stronger collaboration amongst stakeholders in the road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors to develop an efficient, intermodal transportation system capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Goronyo made the call on Wednesday 2 September, 2026 at the 19th National Council on Transportation with the theme, *“Developing Effective Transportation Systems for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation,”* in Abuja.
He described roads and bridges as essential lifelines of trade, commerce, and human mobility, noting that robust, expanded, and durable road networks connect rural agricultural communities with urban markets, facilitate access to seaports and rail terminals, and enable mobility across the country.
The *Minister of State* said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was giving unprecedented attention to infrastructure development through the Renewed Hope Agenda, with substantial investments and innovative financing mechanisms being deployed.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s major road infrastructure projects, particularly its four legacy projects, which cut across the six geopolitical zones.
These include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja (Trans-Sahara) Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri-Yola corridor with a spur from Jos to Ibi in Taraba State. Goronyo explained that the projects were designed not merely as road construction initiatives but as strategic investments that would promote connectivity, stimulate commerce, create employment opportunities, and strengthen national integration. They are investments that will earn carbon credits for the country through the use of environmentally friendly cement instead of asphalt in construction, the building of dams for irrigation and renewable energy, solar-powered street lighting, and windmill technology along the littoral corridor.
According to him, the completion of the projects would significantly ease transportation across the geopolitical zones, enable farmers to move their produce to markets faster, improve industrial access to raw materials and markets, and provide safer and more comfortable movement for Nigerians. He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Works was also embracing rigid pavement technology as part of efforts to construct durable roads capable of withstanding heavy traffic and high water tables, thereby reducing road failures.
*Goronyo* said the approach was particularly important given the pressure placed on the nation’s roads by heavy-duty vehicles, emphasising that effective rail transportation would complement this by moving a significant portion of the heavy freight.
The *Minister of State* also urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure, warning against vandalism, and theft of road and bridge furniture, and other critical assets. He called on communities to take ownership of the infrastructure in their areas and assist government agencies in protecting public assets.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, commended the Federal Government for the level of resources being committed to road infrastructure under President Tinubu. He described road infrastructure as critical to national development, adding that no country achieved sustainable economic growth without a good road network. He applauded the theme of the Council as timely, as it provided an opportunity for stakeholders in land, water and air transportation to harmonise policies and develop a sustainable intermodal transportation strategy for the country.
He assured that the National Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at developing a reliable and efficient transport network across the country.
Representing the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, at the Council, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Abdullahi Idi, highlighted significant progress recorded in Nigeria’s aviation sector under the present administration. He stated that the administration had focused on improving aviation safety and security, upgrading infrastructure, supporting local airlines, developing human capacity, strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional aviation hub.
According to him, Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 per cent in the April 2026 ICAO Safety Audit, describing the result as a significant milestone for the sector. He revealed that the administration was also reviewing and strengthening Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with strategic international partners to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and tourism, attract investment and create employment opportunities.
He stressed that the ultimate measure of success would be the extent to which aviation policies translate into jobs, investment, trade, tourism, affordable connectivity, increased cargo capacity and sustainable economic growth.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, FNSE, disclosed that the Ministry was working towards strengthening enforcement mechanisms leveraging technology to ensure that traffic offences were properly captured and sanctioned. He explained that technological systems would enable the authorities to identify vehicles and drivers involved in traffic offences and facilitate the prompt enforcement of penalties.
Adebiyi said the objective was to develop a system where offenders would not easily evade penalties, while ensuring that due process was followed before sanctions are imposed. He reassured that the proposed measures were aimed at improving compliance, road safety and responsible driving behaviour across the country.
A representative of Global Foremost Impressions Ltd., Prof. Emmanuel Chijioke Ogbonna, described the integrated transportation model being promoted by the Federal Government as innovative and transformative.
He said the discussions at the Council had provided valuable insights into how the integration of road, rail and other transportation modes could address Nigeria’s transportation challenges. Ogbonna expressed optimism that effective implementation of the policy would transform Nigeria’s transportation sector and deliver a more efficient, affordable, safe and seamless transport system.
The 19th National Council on Transportation brought together key stakeholders from the road, rail, aviation, maritime and other related sectors to deliberate on policies and strategies for developing an efficient, integrated and sustainable transportation system for Nigeria.
The Council reaffirmed the commitment of stakeholders to greater collaboration, strategic investment, and coordinated policy implementation towards building a seamless transportation system capable of supporting economic growth, national integration and improved quality of life for Nigerians.
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