The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar has said that road transport world-wide is regarded as one of the most reliable modes of transport that has affected investors and businesses as both humans and goods are transported from one part of the country to another.
Unfortunately, he added the movement from one place to another by roads has put a lot of pressure on the infrastructure resulting in bad roads leading to accidents and thereby making some of the roads difficult to ply.
The minister made this disclose yesterday at a press conference on National Road Transport Directory which took place in the ministry’s conference room.
Represented by Mr. Peter Utsu, the Deputy Directory Research and statistics in the Ministry, the Minister said the role transportation plays in the socio-economic development of any nation cannot be over- emphasized, noting that any nation without an efficient transportation sector is as good as a vehicle without fuel.
“it is therefore imperative for us to pay premium to the development of an efficient transport system”, said Umar.
According to him, the transport sector can not be said to be development without a proper guide or information for the road users, stressing that the role information plays for road users is critical, just as road signages play in directing and guiding road users for the city.
To minimize the ugly trends caused by the hazards experienced by road users and to make the roads safe and encourage investors and tourism into the country, there is the need for a data base that will provide information to commuters tourists, investors, transport operators, police makers and the general public.
Consequently, he said when in 2010 Messrs Binary wrote to collaborate with the ministry in the provision of the requisite manpower under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, I did not waste an iota of time than to give approval for the project. Binary Search Communication Network Ltd is therefore to provide a directory that will list all government and private motor parks in all the state, FCT, LGA’s Standard Hotels, addresses of FRSC offices, police stations, medical facilities, spare parts dealers, mechanics, towing companies, road union offices which under- pins the Transportation Agenda of the present Administration Of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.