Professor Samuel Gbadebo Odewumi, (SG) a globally renowned academic eagle adorned with many feathers of honour at the Lagos State University (LASU) has professed that a smoke-free, noiseless transportation system is achievable after all.
He enthused that given a government adaptation, strict enforcement and compliance of certain transport models to the logistical, environmental and health advantages of the society, a well-managed transport system equipped with modern transport vehicles, an environment-friendly transport system is practicable.
To this end, Odewumi has envisioned that Nigeria and indeed, the global society can once again experience the Eldorado of the biblical Garden of Eden as modelled by God for man at creation.
Prof Odewumi envisioned this while presenting the 99th Inaugural Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU) at the Buba Marwa Convocation Auditorium, Ojo, Lagos on Tuesday.
Discharging his professorial mandate, the widely traversed and globally sought-after academic, did good justice to the paper titled: “Walking Our Way Back To The Garden Of Eden: Envisioning A Model Of The Complete Metamorphosis Of The Urban Transportation System Trajectory”.
Having reviewed a host of theories on transport and logistics, Odewumi posited that the desired transportation system of the Eden dream could only thrive on the conditions of professionalised management and government-enforced compliance of the policies.
The former Dean of the Lagos State University School of Transport and Logistics (LASUSOTAL) and a vital figure of referral value on transportation issues, commended the Lagos State government for its modelling strides in the transportation policy and management.
The frank-talking academic eagle went ahead to recommend that Nigeria’s federal government should quickly conclude and approve the Land Transformation Policy; adding, however, that a national transportation policy must encompass all modes, namely Road, Rail, Water, Air and Pipeline.
He emphasised, “The indispensable concepts in Transportation are Integration and Coordination”.
The avid academic and astute professional in Odewumi took a serious frown at the current system in Nigeria wherein the transport sector is scattered into various managements.
Rather, the transport guru tasked the government to unify the management of the sector under one coordinating minister assisted by ministers of state to help supervise each of the respective units of the sector.
“The Transportation Sector is scattered in the Ministries of Transportation (Road Management and Rail), Blue Economy (Inland and International Waters), Ministry of Aviation (Air) and NNPCL (Pipeline) and the Ministry of Works ( Road Construction).
“This is not an arrangement that will unleash the sector’s full potential in its facilitation and contribution to the national economy,”Odewumi differed.
The perfectionist academic also made a strong case for the establishment of a distinct agency for the management of road affairs in Nigeria such is done for other transport modes.
“You have NRA for Rail, FCAA for Air, NIWA for Inland Water, NIMASA for international waters, and NNPCL for pipeline but none for road.
“Therefore, many self-appointed stakeholders, including local governments, faceless associations, unions and individuals are cashing out.
“This explains why the planning and construction are disjointed and governed most unprofessionally…”; the transport guru complained.
He also proposed a local innovation in materials and methods of road construction.
Emphatically, Odewumi insisted that there must be an integrated and coordinated approach to transport development and management in the country.
