[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he first ever International Transportation Conference in Nigeria is billed to Start today in the country’s federal capital territory, Abuja
The International Transportation Conference is part of an initiative towards growing the transport industry in Nigeria.
According to organizers, the TGI holding between 24th and 25th October 2016 at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja has the theme “Improving Infrastructure for Sustainable, Efficient and Globally Competitive Transportation”.
The Initiative is said to address issues such as inadequate transportation infrastructure, to safe and efficient movement of persons and goods around and across the continent and to x-ray the issues and provide blue print to support government efforts.
The TGI, according to the Chairman, the Board of Trustees, Chief Osita Chidoka, who was a former Minister of Aviation and the immediate past Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps is an umbrella organization of players in the transportation industry including Government Agencies, Private operators and the academics.
“The Initiative will also address transportation Challenges of all modes from a unified stakeholder platform through research, networking of professionals and human resource development.” Chidoka explained
He also stated that “the conference is aimed at developing infrastructure improvement blue print to be adopted by the Nigerian Nation and other African countries.
“This will include infrastructure blue prints for Urban Mobility, Airports, Sea Ports, Highways, Railways and in fact the most neglected; Non-Motorized Transportation (Cycling and walking).
“It will set out the template for tracking progress in the transportation Industry and provide a platform for exposing transportation practitioners to the rich research work of transport professionals in our universities and research institute.”
The Key note speakers and lead presenters for the conference are reported to have started arriving from Europe and other African Countries.
Among the technocrats presenting high level papers at the conference will include: Professor Fred Wegman, Professor Emeritus of Transport Engineering at the Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands who is also the President of International Road Traffic Accident Data Organization (IRTAD); Professor Osi Akpoghome, Coordinator Center for transport and logistics University of Portharcourt; Edwrad Marlow, Managing Director Global Bussiness, Credit Suisse, London and Dr. Paul Zanule, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda; including Professor Kayode Oyesiku, university; Mal Nasir El-Rufai, Executive Governor of Kaduna State; Prof Ben Ayade, Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State; and Chief Babatunde Raji, SAN, Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Fashola, SAN, Honourable Minister of Transportation.
Others are Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the Honourable Minister of State for Transportation, Ghana; Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal FRSC and President of the West African Road Safety Organisation and Barnecer BoulaaJoul, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation Morocco.
Important dignitaries expected at the conference include: Executive Governors, Distinguish Senators, Honorable Members of the Federal House of Representatives, Honorable Ministers, Heads of Government agencies, private and public sector captains and players in Aviation, Maritime, Pipeline, Railway in Africa
A total of 62 technical papers will be presented by renowned African and European experts in 4 plenary sessions and 10 Concurrent sessions. Three high level dialogues sessions will equally take place with technocrats and decision maker as panelists.
