Nigeria Collaborates With States, Plans Tech-driven Transportation System In The Country

The federal government of Nigeria in collaboration with the 36 States in the country is gathering experts in technology and transportation for a two-day natural discourse that will drive policies towards a tech-driven transportation system in the country.

Lagos state commissioner for transportation, Mr Frederic Oladeinde recently disclosed that the conference will feature the exhibition of the latest transportation technologies which will take place on June 7 and 8, 2022 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Conference would feature transportation technology and investment opportunities in line with global best practices. It will also have the presence of decision-makers, experts, and operators from the road, rail, water, and air transportation sectors who will discuss the current trends in smart transportation infrastructure, to adopt and implement these emerging trends in the Nigerian transportation space.

No doubt, the Nigerian government is making steady progress in curbing the challenge faced with transportation in the country. Unfortunately, the transportation industry in the country remains one of the sectors to test the emergence of technological advancement and innovations.

It is a known fact that the transport sector is one of the most important sectors in the country, which is driving the nation’s economy, albeit moving at a slow pace due to lack of digitization and technological implementations. This initiative set up by the government is of great importance because, with proper implementation of tech-driven transportation, it will help eradicate the problems faced in the transportation sector that has also affected the country’s economy.

A case study of Lagos State, which is Nigeria’s largest and busiest commercial city, has over the years been challenging in the commuting of humans and goods and services from one point to another. The large population in the state has made the road congested where citizens are often faced with the challenges of waiting long hours at bus stops and sitting hours in traffic jam, which not only wastes a lot of time but also reduces productivity.

The implementation of technology in the transport system will shape the future of mobility of humans and goods. One ideal technological implementation that would be effective in the transport system is the need to replace cash-based payment systems with digital-based payment systems.

This will limit the long waiting hours in queues for those who want to purchase tickets using government public buses, for example, the BRT buses in Lagos state. It will also limit road congestion and ease the collection of payments.

Already, an Africa-oriented technology-driven company focused on payments, Interswitch has invested in technology infrastructure that will ensure seamless and contactless booking for transport and reduce time wasting for commuters at bus stops, ports, or train stations.

No doubt, the poor performance of the nation’s economy is connected to the poor transport system, which poses a lot of challenges to businesses in the area of distribution of goods and services. There is a strong need for the government to bring in technical experts to develop the transportation sector with technological tools because the transport industry is one of the key essential industries that makes a country’s economy blossom.

Source: Tekedia

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