By Seun Ibiyemi
The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo has zeroed in on a lasting intervention to rail and by extension road insecurity, after studying several submissions and recommendations presented to him, therefore zeroing in on employing present-day technology and rapid response by the relevant security agencies.
The Honourable Minister made this remark on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Amina J. Mohammed at the United Nations Headquarters complex in New York, United State of America.
The Honourable Minister is a lead speaker on financing Nigeria Power and Transport infrastructure at the Nigerian International Economic Partnership forum at St. Regis Hotel, New York, USA, slated for 22nd of September 2022, where President Mohammadu Buhari is the Keynote speaker.
The Deputy Secretary General hinted that she had families who had employees who lost their lives in the ill-fated train attack and some are still in captivity.
While commiserating with her, the Honourable Minister said he has studied several recommendations and proposals and he has settled in on one which will give a long term solution that will cover both rail and road security and after testing this in the coming weeks it will be a template for the entire country.
Also not resting on his oars, he and his team are working tirelessly with the relevant agencies to ensure the release of those in captivity.
Furthermore, in addition to technology and rapid response by the relevant agencies, the duo of the Honourable Minister and Deputy Secretary General shared perspectives on involving communities, traditional rulers along the rail and road routes.
The security of a nation is its community and when communal involvement is employed, coupled with technology and rapid response, the insecurity can be nipped in the bud to a large extent.
The Deputy Secretary General pointed out that the infrastructural development of the Buhari led administration is worthy of commendation, but people won’t see progress when they are leaving in insecurity, and she is excited that the Honourable Minister’s initiative will go a long way in dealing with this challenge.
While congratulating the Honourable Minister, the Deputy Secretary General stressed that Nigerians look forward to more strides and results from him, every day, months and weeks matters at home and the whole nation looks forward to the story the Minister will tell at the dusk of the administration.
Responding, the Honourable Minister said he hit the ground running from day one and part of his courtesy visit to her is to solicit assistance and opportunities for the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
He commended her, noting that Nigerians are proud of her back home and every Nigerian will love to be associated with her.
“The task is not easy, but honestly, you are doing us proud indeed, we pray for strength, resilience and wisdom as you discharge your duties,” the Honourable Minister said.
The Honourable Minister will be attending several functions in his stay in the New York coming home with robust intervention to drive home President Muhammadu Buhari Developmental initiative.