Dogara lauds transport institute’s contribution to nation’s economy

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogora, has commended the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), for contributing to the nation’s economy.

Dogora gave the commendation when a delegation of the institute led by its National President, Malam Ibrahim Jubril, paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker in Abuja.

He said that if the institute contributes 12 per cent to the global GDP and making the informal sector becomes formal, then it was commendable.

“I am happy that private citizens now engage in activities that will move the country forward.

“We are in a situation that requires each of us to think of ways we can motivate the private citizens to compete.

“If we begin to have private citizens contributing toward making some informal sector formal, using their potential, then, that is indeed wonderful and commendable.

“I thank you for these efforts and am quite familiar with some of the challenges you face in this sector, but if you have a sector that have the potential of contributing about 12 per cent to the GDP.

“I think there is no serious government that will not pay attention to such sector, because contributing to the GDP is very important,” he said.

The speaker advised the institute to do more research that would help support the proposed bill before the assembly.

Earlier, Malam Ibrahim Jibril, National President of CILT, said the visit was to solicit the speaker’s support for the proposed bill before the National Assembly.

He said that the bill is an Act to establish the institute in Nigeria and to promote the highest level of logistics, transport, education and research.

According to him, the passage of this bill will enable individuals, corporate organisations and government at all levels to receive quality, structured and articulated professional advice directly from the institute.

“Such advised will go a long way to assist in better planning, policy drafting, operations, administration and management of the transportation systems in the country.

“When the bill is passed, it will empower the institute to officially advocate for practices that will lead to more efficient logistics and transport service delivery.

“The bill will also protect the interest of service providers, investors, entrepreneurs and consumers.

“It will also ensure adherence to environmental standards, good policies, better planning and quality regulations,” he said.

Jibril said that in Nigeria, logistics sector was estimated to contribute over N200 billion to the economy with an annual growth rate of 12 per cent.

He, however, said that the institute key focus was on education, training, certification, setting standards of practice, licensing of professionals, monitoring and regulating professional practice.