#GEJAchievements in Transport: Under GEJ’s administration, Nigerian-owned crude oil transportation tankers increased to 400, compared to less than 60 in 2009. 5million passengers carried by rail yearly compared to 1 million before Jonathan. Lagos-Ibadan-Oshogbo-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano narrow gauge rail line which started in the pre-Jonathan era was completed under Jonathan’s administration. Container cargo freight services from Apapa Port Complex which was non-existent before Jonathan has commenced. Rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Enugu-Makurdi-Lafia-Kuru-Bauchi-Gombe-Ashaka-Maiduguri with branch lines at Kuru to Jos and Kafanchan-Kaduna narrow gauge rail line nearing completion. 5million passengers carried by rail yearly compared to 1 million before Jonathan. Lagos-Kano, Port Harcourt-Maiduguri and Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail lines were moribund for 15 years before President Jonathan rehabilitated them. Before Jonathan, only 5000km of federal roads were motorable. Now, 25,000km are in good condition and motorable. Before Jonathan, Baro Port, Lokoja Port and Oguta Port were non-existent. Now, they are nearing completion. Number of passengers travelling by water rose from less than 250,000 per year before Jonathan to over 1.3 million. Cargo transport rose from less than 2m metric tonnes before Jonathan to 5m metric tonnes in 2013. Aviation Master Plan INFRASTRUCTURE: AVIATION Just as Goodluck Jonathan waded into the incessant spate of airplane crashes as well as operational and administrative rots, Nigeria came up with an Aviation Master Plan and Road Map for the first time and there has been a robust revision of the Civil Aviation National Policy for the first time in over 12 years. Also for the first time in over three decades, all 22 federally-owned airports across the country are being remodelled, resulting in improved passenger experience just as five modern international passenger terminals are being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu for the very first time. The obsolete power infrastructure is being replaced/upgraded across major airports in the country and fire-fighting infrastructure now state-of-the-art across the airports It has indeed been installation and more Installations in the various delicate technical systems of aviation industry operations especially if one reckons with those installations of cutting-edge navigational aids and Instruments Landing Systems (ILS), including runway lights and Total Radar Coverage (TRACON), to enhance air safety; installation of modern, state-of-the-art Communication and Surveillance infrastructure, making communication between Air Traffic Controllers (ATC s) and Pilots much more seamless; installation of state-of-the-art Meteorological infrastructure (Doppler Weather Radars, Low-Level Wind Shear Alerts Systems- LLWSAS) to enhance accurate, timely weather observation, forecasting and reporting; Installation of an Accident Investigation and Analysis Laboratory in Nigeria which is one of the only four in Africa and the only one in the West African sub-region; installation of security infrastructure is also being replaced/upgraded to cope with emerging security challenges. Also administratively, there were structural adjustments made including the Designation of six Hajj and six Christian pilgrim Terminals; upgrade of NCAT’s training capabilities, expanding beneficial relationships that support training and human capital development in the aviation sector; restructuring of Parastatals to deliver best performance and services; restructuring of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to expand and promote safety oversight, surveillance and human capital development in the industry; development of comprehensive economic and consumer protection regulations, including a Statement of Passenger Rights; Streamlining of General Aviation (GA) to eliminate unauthorised commercial operations, promote scheduled airlines’ profitability and safety; elimination of unfavourable Concession and Lease Agreements that were inconsistent with the public interest, industry growth and advancement; promotion of private sector and international investors’ participation in Nigerian Aviation sector; deployment of modern technology and digitisation of records and processes; creation of cutting-edge revenue collection solutions which eliminate corruption, increase revenue and promotes transparency and efficiency; stringent regime of enforcement, reward for complete compliance and denial of privileges for violations; more friendly operating environment for domestic carriers; and a new leasing company for Aircraft was created. More also, six airports, namely Jos, Makurdi, Yola, Jalingo, Lagos and Ilorin, which are strategically located in proximity to food baskets have been designated as perishable cargo airports and international standards perishable cargo facilities are being developed at these airports. A new Cargo Development Division has been established in FAAN to give focus to this effort. Aviation • For the first time ever, Nigeria has an Aviation Master Plan and Road Map. • There has been a robust revision of the Civil Aviation National Policy for the first time in over 12 years. • For the first time in over three decades, all 22 federally-owned airports across the country are being remodelled, resulting in improved passenger experience. • For the first time, five modern international passenger terminals are being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu. • Obsolete power infrastructure is being replaced/upgraded across major airports in the country. • Fire-fighting infrastructure now state-of-the-art across the airports. • Installation of cutting-edge navigational aids and Instruments Landing Systems (ILS), including runway lights and Total Radar Coverage (TRACON) to enhance air safety. • Installation of state-of-the-art Communication and Surveillance infrastructure, making communication between Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) and Pilots much more seamless. • State-of-the-art meteorological infrastructure (Doppler Weather Radars, Low-Level Wind Shear Alerts Systems – LLWSAS) to enhance accurate, timely weather observation, forecasting and reporting. • Security infrastructure is also being replaced/upgraded to cope with emerging security challenges. • Installation of an Investigation and Analysis Laboratory in Nigeria. It is one of the only four in Africa and the only one in the West African sub-region. • Upgrade of NCAT’s training capabilities, expanding beneficial relationships that support training and human capital development in the aviation sector. • Streamlining of General Aviation (GA) to eliminate unauthorised commercial operations, promote scheduled airlines’ profitability and safety. • Elimination of unfavourable Concession and Lease Agreements that were inconsistent with the public interest, industry growth and advancement. • Promotion of private sector and international investors’ participation in Nigerian Aviation sector. • Deployment of modern technology and digitisation of records and processes. • More friendly operating environment for domestic carriers. • Six airports namely Jos, Makurdi, Yola, Jalingo, Lagos and Ilorin, which are strategically located in proximity to food baskets have been designated as perishable cargo airports and international standards perishable cargo facilities are being developed at these airports. A new Cargo Development Division has been established in FAAN to give focus to this effort. Increase in Traveling by Water The number of passengers travelling by water was 1.3 million in 2012, compared to a mere 250,000 the previous year President Goodluck Jonathan has proven that he understands the importance of water transport in relieving some of the pressure from the other means of transportation. The Inland Waterways provide alternative means of transporting goods, agricultural produce and services at relatively low rates. Dredging of Lower River Niger from Baro (Niger State) to Warri (Delta State) has allowed all-year navigation. Much to the credit of his being an indigene of the riverine areas, he has been able to demonstrate only a few people know the waterways like the ones who was practically born and raised by the waters. More also, Onitsha Port has been completed, while Baro Port, Lokoja Port and Oguta Port are under construction and the volume of cargo transported in the inland waterways has doubled in the last two years. In addition to all these, contracts are on course for the dredging of the Lower River Benue and Makurdi River Ports as the president approves the establishment of six Inland Container Depots to ease congestion at the ports all in this infrastructural revolution tenure. Reviving the Railway Before President Jonathan’s administration, the Nigerian Railways Corporation was moribund, and transportation of goods and people was forced onto the roads network. This contributed to the degradation of the road networks increasing the maintenance burden on government and imposing extra costs and delays on other roads users. As part of the 25-year strategic vision to revive and modernise the Nigerian Railway System, the President Jonathan’s Administration has adopted a systematic dual approach which will see the rehabilitation of the entire existing narrow gauged lines while simultaneously developing standard gauge lines. To achieve this, a number of important projects have been undertaken over the last four years to revive and develop railways within and leading to the North West region. In railways the journey towards full recovery has only just begun but is already delivering important benefits. Completion of the President Jonathan’s Administration vision for the railways will generate huge benefits for the nation and will be particularly important to the economic development regions like the North West need low cost efficient transportation that links to the ports to facilitate their economic growth. Did you know? The railways now move over 3,450 passengers three times a week between Minna and Kaduna since regular operations re-commenced in and out of the North West zone. Under the President Jonathan’s and cost of distribution for several of Nigeria’s biggest flour, cement and oil companies. Under the present administration, not only is the railway service back, it has re-commenced movement of goods and people in and out of the North West zone. 850 passengers are transported weekly between Kano and Nguru while 3,450 Passengers are transported thrice weekly between Minna and Kaduna Did you know? Under the President Jonathan’s administration The Railways has helped improve efficiency and cost of distribution for several of Nigeria’s biggest flour, cement and oil companies. In addition to the passenger traffic, several tonnes of goods are being transported via the rail sector helping companies improve their efficiencies and bottom-line. Examples of companies currently benefiting from this service includes: Flour Mills which now moves wheat from Apapa to Kaduna and Kano through Connect Rail Limited; Lafarge which now moves 1,500 tons of cement equivalent of 50 trailer loads by rail from Ewekoro to Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin all the way to Minna and Kano; the downstream oil sector which now moves the equivalent of over 30 tankers by rail weekly. Did you know? Resumed railway services have reduced wear and tear as well as accidents on the roads since the weekly movement of goods and people began from Lagos to Kano. All of these activities not only save these companies funds but also help to extend the lifespan of the nation’s road network through reduced wear and tear from heavy trucks. Did you know? The President Jonathan’s administration has completed rehabilitation work on the 1,124km Western Line from Lagos to Kano and passenger services and haulage were flagged off in December 2012. TESTIMONIAL: TRAVELLING BY TRAIN: My wife and son were excited as we got on the train. My wife had never been on a train, same for my three year old son. “Is it safe?” “What if it stops?” “How will we buy food or go to the toilet?” My wife’s questions were endless but I could understand her anxiety. Train travel is not popular in Nigeria but now the trains are running again, transporting goods and people across the country we had a great journey. Did you know? The aviation reforms introduced by the President Jonathan’s administration have improved aviation safety and passenger experience in the North West. By improving and modernising physical facilities at all the airports within this zone, the President’s administration has put in place systems that are significantly safer and more robust than in the past. In addition, the training needs of people engaged in the aviation sector have been addressed as the capacity of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology has been enhanced with state-of-the-art training facilities. The college now has the capacity to train 1,250 aviation professionals annually. Did you know? Major airports in the zone including Kaduna, Sokoto, and Aminu Kano have been remodelled, greatly enhancing the passenger experience. Did you know? Under the President Jonathan’s administration, the airports in the North West zone are becoming more closely integrated with Nigeria’s core national economy. As part of efforts to make the airports more integral to the nation’s economy, the Aminu Kano International Airport has been designated one of 13 perishable cargo terminals in the country, while development is ongoing to make the Sokoto airport one of the largest Hajj terminals in Nigeria. TESTIMONIAL: SULE LAMIDO: My name is Sule Lamido and I am from Kano State. The first time I travelled by air was in 2010. The airport was hot and crowded and very noisy although my uncle had taken me and my sister to sit in the VIP lounge which had a good AC. When I travelled last week I noticed that everything has changed. The airport is now bigger and the air conditioners are working for everybody. Because they increased the space, the airport did not look too crowded any more. Reforms in the Aviation Sector Before President Jonathan, the aviation sector was beset by numerous challenges which hindered development of the sector and offered an unacceptable level of risk and a poor passenger experience to air travellers. Key Reforms in the Aviation sector have seen it repositioned. This is because the sector is an importance to the growth of key economic sectors. The Aviation Master Plan together with its implementation framework have been developed to confront the sector’s numerous challenges, with a view to providing a safe, secure, profitable and self-sustaining world class industry with a distinct airport experience for travellers. Key reforms undertaken to achieve this include measures to encourage the growth of domestic airlines, improved regulatory oversight, safety projects, and infrastructural development. One of the more visible impacts of these reforms in the North West is that the Aminu Kano international Airport in Kano, Kaduna Airport and the Shehu Shagari Airport in Sokoto have been overhauled with remodelled terminals and modern air navigational and safety equipment installed. This has improved the passenger experience and is attracting foreign and domestic airlines to the zone. This contrasts sharply with the situation before the Jonathan administration when safety and passenger comfort were major issues in aviation. Making the Waterways Hitch-free Did you know?... Several reforms are on-going to make Nigerian waterways hitch–free In line with the Presidents waterways reform plan, the proposed passenger transportation on PPP arrangement on major and minor water crossings using 14-seater, 28-seater and 45-seater water buses has now kicked off. The routes that will benefit from this are Yauri to Malare (Kebbi), Buruku to Abuku (Benue), Pategi (Kwara) to Nupeko (Niger), Lokoja to Onitsha, Onitsha to Bomadi (Delta), Idah (Kogi) to Agenebode (Edo), Yenagoa to Brass (Bayelsa), Calabar to Oron (Akwa Ibom), Marina to Apapa (Lagos) and Marina to Badagry (Lagos). Six Units of the Water Buses are available now. An additional six are expected soon. WATERWAYS: Status report Before President Jonathan: Nigeria is blessed with a large body of inland water yet to be fully utilized for the movement of goods and people. Previous governments have simply neglected to develop our inland waterways system to ease movement and life in general. Key Reforms and Achievements in Inland Waterways: The nation’s navigable waterways link more than 20 states and are made up of 12 major rivers, creeks, lagoons, lakes and intra-coastal waters. All these add up to a total navigable distance of over 3,800km constituting an important natural resource that offer far reaching opportunities for inland water transportation. The Federal Government has completed the capital dredging of the Lower River Niger from Warri (Delta State) to Baro (Niger State) – 572km - to facilitate all-year navigability. The channel runs through major towns such as Warri, Onitsha, Agenebode, Idah, Jamata (Lokoja) and Baro. In addition, Baro, Oguta, and Jamata (Lokoja) River Ports are under construction. Baro and Oguta are expected to be completed this year. Did You Know? ... Waterways Reforms have Boosted Commercial Activities with bulk movement of more than 1,200 tonnes of goods per year. The reforms have led to increased inland waterways transport services and the transportation of goods over long distances at relatively low rates along the channels. Examples of bulk transportation include: • Movement of 1,200 tonnes of ceramic tiles from Lokoja to Onitsha by Messrs Ninon Transport Company at 5 trips per Annum; • Messrs Ninon are currently constructing 4 Nos. 500 tons capacity Barges in Lokoja with intention to deploy them for use in the Lower River Niger Channel; Did you know?... Safety and security on the Inland water ways have been beefed up to ensure passenger safety. Beyond making our inland waterways more functional, the administration of President Jonathan also ensured that safety and security on the inland waterways be improved with: • Strengthening Inland Waterways Police Command by providing 12 Security Patrol Boats. • Procurement of additional 3 Security Patrol Boats is on-going. • Provision of anchorages for repairs and overnight berthing on the Waterways in 4 locations along the Lower River Niger at Budon and Ajaokuta in Kogi, Ilushi in Edo and Aboh in Delta States. • Acquired two (2) Water Ambulances to provide First Aid in accident cases. • Acquired two (2) Water Mobile Workshops for emergency repairs of Ferries and Boats on Waterways. • Soft security coverage programme by providing Radio communication in major waterways starting with Lower River Niger. • Registration of vessels/operation permits: 5,620 as at date Key Reforms and Achievements in Railway Rehabilitation Before President Jonathan: Prior to President Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria’s Railways were in a complete state of comatose and abandonment. The railways had been a key mode of transportation in the 60s through the 80s but after these years, paucity of funds and government’s inability to maintain these lines led to the railways being abandoned thus adding more burden on the road transport system. The Federal government has embarked on a total turnaround of the railways nationwide. In a 25-year strategic vision for the rail sector, the administration’s goal is to complete the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge or railway lines; the construction of new standard gauge rail lines. This will then be complemented by extension of the rail network to link all State Capitals, commercial centers, solid mineral and mining sites, petroleum product depots and major agricultural zones, as well as fertilizer distribution depots, ensuring the people that everyone that relies on rail is connected. Asides the reconstruction phase, the modernization phase involve the construction of standard gauge lines. This is the second segment of the 25 years Railway Strategic Plan. Did You Know? ... Transportation of goods by rail has commenced and flows through different parts of the north central. As a result of various rehabilitation and construction works being done by President Jonathan in this sector, movement of goods has considerably increased between the North and South, and these flow through the North Central. Some examples include: • Movement of Wheat owned by Flour Mills Ltd from Apapa to Kaduna and Kano. Weekly movement of 1,500 tons (Equivalent to 50 trailer loads) of Cement for Lafarge Cement Plc from Ewekoro to Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Minna and Kano. • Weekly Movement of Petroleum Products Equivalent to 30 Tankers from Lagos up to Kano. Did you know? ... That since railway services resumed, more than 16,000 people are being moved with ease on a daily basis. Over 90% of the existing 3,505 Km of narrow gauge line, across Nigeria have been rehabilitated during President Jonathan’s time in office. The rehabilitation of the railway also ushered in relief for hundreds of passengers transiting from point to point. Since passenger services resumed the. Lagos-Kano Express Train Services , which currently operates twice a week; from Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin – Lagos Train, moves an average of 6,188 passengers every week. These trains have also become popular for excursions and are highly patronized during festivities. The North Central zone is at the heart of these trips. Peace in the Sky Aviation: The 22 airports across Nigeria are being remodeled and upgraded: in 2013, we completed the upgrade of 11 airport terminals and work on the remaining 11 terminals is in progress. The Enugu Airport is now operational as an international airport with a new terminal under construction. We have also commenced work on the construction of three new international airport terminals: in Lagos, in Kano, and in Abuja. Modern navigational and meteorological systems were installed at our airports to improve air safety. In addition, 6 airports namely: Jos, Markurdi, Yola, Jalingo, Lagos and Ilorin which are strategically located in proximity to food baskets have been designated as perishable cargo airports and international standards perishable cargo facilities are being developed at these airports. A new Cargo Development Division has been established in FAAN to give focus to this effort. Modenization of the Railway Transportation Infrastructure (Roads & Railways): We have made progress in the construction of various road projects across the country, such as the Kano-Maiduguri road, the Abuja-Lokoja road, the Apapa-Oshodi road, the Onitsha-Enugu-Port-Harcourt road and the Benin-Ore-Shagamu road, among others. Preliminary work has also commenced on the Lagos-Ibadan road, as well as on the Second Niger Bridge. The Railway Modernization Programme involving the construction of standard gauge lines is underway. The 1,124 km Western line linking Lagos and Kano is now functional while work on the Eastern line linking Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is about 36% complete. The Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge line has attained 68% completion, and the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Line which is presently 77% completed, will be completed next year. The annual passenger traffic on our railways has increased steadily: rising from 1 million in 2011 to 5 million in 2013. Inland waterways: We have dredged about 72 km of the lower River Niger from Baro in Niger State to Warri in Delta State; and completed the construction of the Onitsha inland port; while the Baro port is nearing completion. The result of all these is that we now have year round navigation around the lower Niger; and we are already witnessing an increase in cargo volume from below 2.9 million metric tons in 2011 to over 5 million metric tons in 2013 on the inland waterways. As in the case of the rail transport, the number of passengers travelling via our inland waterways has increased fourfold from 250,000 in 2011 to over 1.3 million.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 17:14:06 +0000
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