The Federal Government has unveiled plans to construct modern bus terminals and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones as part of efforts to modernize the road transport sector.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, disclosed this over the weekend in Abuja, highlighting that the initiative aligns with the recently approved National Land Transport Policy by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“This policy is the first of its kind in the history of this country,” the minister said, emphasizing that road transport remains the most burdened mode of transportation globally.
According to Alkali, despite its critical role, many opportunities within Nigeria’s road transport sector remain untapped. “We feel we should harness these potentials by establishing a framework on which the sector needs to operate. With the passage of this policy, the framework will strengthen the sector,” he stated.
He further explained that with the support of the President and the FEC, approval has been granted for the construction of six ultra-modern bus terminals, one in each geo-political zone, as a pilot scheme. The addition of CNG stations aims to promote cleaner energy use and reduce dependency on petrol and diesel in public transportation.
The minister assured that the policy will not only enhance regulation but also improve safety standards, ensuring more efficient and sustainable road transport operations across the country.