CILT Tasks Govt. On Transportation Development, Inducts Fellows

National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Mfon Ekong Usoro, has called on the Federal Ministry of Transportation to formally involve the institute in its developmental programmes.

Usoro, who made the call at a CILT Nigeria’s seminar in Lagos, with the theme: “Strategies for Repositioning Nigeria for Exploiting AfCFTA,” witnessed the institute induct some notable individuals as fellows.

They include the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani; Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, and a former President of Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi.

Usoro said, “CILT’s immediate goal is to transform logistics and transport in Nigeria to align with global and continental trends, with a focus on technology, growing domestic capacity and strengthening the regulatory deficit that is a sine qua non for the growth and competitiveness of the industry.

“To this end, the institute has been intensifying efforts to deepen and broaden relationships with the government and key private sector operators for all the modes. Additionally, they have also concluded negotiation of a Memorandum of Agreement with a top-notch university, to be signed very shortly.”

Usoro further added that CILT Nigeria will begin to publish a Logistics and Transport Advisory and Forecast on a quarterly basis, which will offer an independent, objective and constructive assessment of the state of play of the Logistics and Transport industry, together with practical solutions.

She expressed confidence that CILT is fully equipped to be of value to the ministry and the country as a whole, and joined Nigerians to urge the government to issue a timely transport policy.

Usoro’s view was supported by Ms. Funmi Folorunsho, Director General of African Shipowners Association (ASA), during a presentation where she recommended CILT as the driver for logistics and transport space in Nigeria.

Folorunso said, “Nigeria has the potential to become the logistics hub of the continent. A change in mindset could help reposition the country to exploit this potential, by making AfCFTA a joint assignment by all, including CILT, the private and public sectors. Adequate structures should also be set up, as well as addressing the legal framework.”

She charged CILT to optimise its strength in the transport and logistics industry, prioritise already identified opportunities in logistics and work at strategies to implement guidelines.

The event also featured the induction of some notable personalities into the grades of Chartered Fellowship, Chartered Members, and Members of the CILT.

Other inductees into the Chartered Fellowship include Mundi Baba Ibrahim, Ogunna Ikechukwu Joel, Maj. Gen. Dauda Adamu Mama, Orume Daniel John, Chief Ezenwa Chinwe, Murnai Mohammad Kabir, Soetan Israel Olatoye, Bature Musa Jonathan and Soji-George Folake Oladapo.

Usoro advised the inductees to continue to further the interest of the logistics and transport industry, and partner with CILT Nigeria to keep improving the efficiency and profitability of the sector.