By Danjuma Katsina

From 30th to 31st July, 2024, Katsina was a gog with hundreds of critical stakeholders in Nigeria's transport sector to attend the Northwest Zonal Conference of the National Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) which was hosted by the Katsina State government. 

The two-day conference drew key players in the sector that include transportation experts, policy makers, and captains of industry in the sector from the seven Northwest states of Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara to discuss practical solutions, best practices, and emerging trends in the industry. 

The conference which had the theme "Promoting Ethics and Professionalism in Transport: A Key to Economic Development", showcased the achievements of some state governments in the transport sector and their potential for future growth. 

Meanwhile, before the conference commenced, the President of CIoTA, Prince Segun Ochulo Obayendo, led a high-powered delegation of the association's members on a courtesy visit to Governor Dikko Umar Radda to brief him on the scope, aims and objectives and other arrangements regarding the conference. 

In the CIoTA President's entourage were the Deputy President, Hon. Umar Sanda Iya, Auditor -General, Aminu Mukhtar, National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Chinwe Uwaegbute, the institute's Registrar, Mr. Rasheed Aiyelabeyan and the Northwest Zonal Coordinator of CIoTA, Malam Haruna Musa.

Considering the prominence of the Institute and significance of the conference, Governor Dikko Radda received the delegation warmly, alongside a cross section of his cabinet members, particularly the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Abdullahi Garba Faskari, and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Malam Jabiru Tsauri, among others.

The opening ceremony of the two-day conference which was held at the Local Government Service Commission in Katsina, also attracted dignitaries from all across the country, particularly the who-is-who in the transport sector that include representations from the federal and state Legislative committees on Transport, representatives from the seven northwest state governments, commercial transport companies, transport unions, and high-powered representations from the Federal and seven northwest state Ministries of Works and Ministries of Transport. 

The conference which was declared open by Governor Dikko Radda, dwellt on key issues pertaining to the development of Nigeria's transport sector with particular emphasis on challenges and ways to surmount them. 

The key challenges as identified by stakeholders is the deplorable condition of many federal and state roads which militates against smooth transport operations by both public and private vehicle owners. 

The conference ended with recommendations to policy makers on how best to address the challenges identified by the various speakers that took turns to make presentations and contributions at the conference.

Caption: Governor Dikko Umaru Radda being honoured with the Distinguished Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA) by its  President, Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo