The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has revealed that the Federal Government has found a lasting solution to insecurity associated with rail and road transport, after studying several submissions and recommendations presented to him, deploying present-day technology and rapid response by the relevant security agencies.
Sambo made this remark during a courtesy visit to the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, at the organisation’s headquarters complex in New York, United States of America.
The minister is scheduled to be the lead speaker on ‘Financing Nigeria’s Power and Transport Infrastructure’ at the Nigerian International Economic Partnership forum at St. Regis Hotel, New York, USA, on September 22, 2022, where President Muhammadu Buhari is the keynote speaker.
The deputy secretary general hinted that she had families who had lost loved ones in the Ill-fated train attack and some are still in captivity.
While commiserating with her, Sambo said he has studied several recommendations and proposals and has settled on one which will be a long-term solution for both forms of transportation. He said it could be a template for the country if it is successfully tested in the coming weeks. Also, he said he and his staff were working tirelessly with the relevant agencies to ensure the release of those in captivity.
Furthermore, in addition to technology and rapid response by the relevant agencies, the minister and deputy secretary-general shared perspectives on involving communities and traditional rulers along the rail and road routes. “The security of a nation is its community and when communal involvement is employed, coupled with technology and rapid response, the insecurity can be nipped in the bud to a large extent,” he said.
The deputy secretary-general pointed out that the infrastructural development of the Buhari-led administration is worthy of commendation, but people won’t see progress when they are unsafe. She confessed to being excited over the minister’s initiative and said it could go a long way in dealing with the challenge.
Mohammed congratulated him on his appointment and pointed out that Nigerians look forward to more strides and results from him daily and would like to hear what he has to say after the tenure of the current government comes to an end.
Sambo commended her and assured her of Nigerians’ pride in her achievements back home. “The task is not easy but, honestly, you are doing us proud indeed. We pray for strength, resilience and wisdom as you discharge your duties,” he said.
The minister said he would be attending several functions during his time in New York and expected to come home with robust intervention to drive home President Buhari’s developmental initiative.
