The Minister of Transportation, Mr Said Alkali, says concessioning in Nigeria’s transport sector is inevitable, stressing that its success must balance economic viability with labour protection.
Alkali stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a symposium organised by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) National Coordinating Committee (NCC), themed “Nigeria Transport Sectors Concessioning: Focus on Viabilities and Imminent Labour Issues.”
Represented by the Director of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Mrs Ahidenor Cynthia, the minister said concessioning was critical to improving transport infrastructure and service delivery, but warned that its effectiveness would not be automatic.
“It will be measured not only by improved infrastructure or financial returns, but by its capacity to deliver efficient and affordable transport services, investor confidence, industrial harmony and social protection,” he said.
According to Alkali, concessioning frameworks must strike a balance, noting that “viability without labour inclusion is unsustainable, while labour protection without efficiency is uncompetitive.”
He emphasised the need for concession models that are economically viable, institutionally sound and socially responsible, so the transport sector can drive inclusive growth and national development.
The minister assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to implementing credible recommendations arising from the symposium.
Earlier, the President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees and Chairman of ITF-NCC, Mr Nnabue Ben, said the ITF was founded in 1896 to unite transport workers globally.
He said the federation now represents over 20 million workers in more than 150 countries, advocating for workers’ rights, safety, welfare and decent working conditions across transport sectors.
Ben noted that the ITF continued to campaign against exploitation, unsafe conditions and unfair labour practices, while promoting gender equality, youth empowerment and the future of transport work.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike, said integrating weather forecasting into multimodal transport planning was now a necessity.
Represented by the Deputy General Manager, Climate Services, Mr Oyegade Adeleke, Anosike said climate variability and extreme weather events had direct impacts on the efficiency, safety and reliability of transport systems.
He said NiMet was committed to supporting stakeholders with weather and climate information to improve efficiency, reduce losses and build resilient supply chains in Nigeria.