Vehicle Transit Areas get a committee that includes Adamawa, which is the host State and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council
By Uzor Odigbo
The Adamawa State government have teamed up with the Nigeria Shippers’ Council in inaugurating a Committee to aid the development of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) at Ngurore near Yola and Border Information Center (BIC) at Sahuda near the border area in Mubi, Adamawa State.
The State Government and NSC had previously met in Abuja where it was resolved that a -ten-member joint committee be inaugurated to fast track the development of these transport infrastructure projects. The Committee includes the host State Government and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
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Speaking at the official inauguration of the Technical Committee, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency, Umaru Fintiri stated that the development of Vehicle Transit Areas at Ngurore and Sahuda at the border area as well as Border Information Centre in Mubi topped their discussions when they met in Abuja.
Hajia Rabi Y. Ahmed, Co-Chairperson, Implementation on the development of Vehicle Transit Area, His Excellency, Ahmadu Fintiri, Executive Governor of Adamawa State and Hon. Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Mr John Wajilda, Consultant.
Umaru Fintiri lauded the NSC boss for his commitment towards the development of Vehicle Transit Area and BIC in Adamawa state.
According to him, the Vehicle Transit Areas and BIC, will not serve the Adamawa State alone but also neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic.
He expressed optimism that the development of Vehicle Transit Areas will address indiscriminate parking of trucks on roads in the State.
Also speaking at the official inauguration of the committee, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hon. Emmanuel Jime maintained that the agency has the mandate to facilitate the development of transport infrastructure in the country.
He stressed that the Shippers’ Council is working to actualize modern VTAs in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the joint technical committee will make a concerted effort to see to the realization of the projects in the state.
Responding to concerns about insecurity, the Adamawa State governor said that the State has put in place measures that have resulted in the reduction of crimes to bearest minimum.
The Co-Chairperson representing the Adamawa State Government on the joint committee, Hajia Rabi Yahaya Ahmad said that Adamawa State will ensure the actualization of Vehicle Transit Areas and the Border Information Centre in the State.
Co-Chairman representing Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Phillip Eduwa, appreciated the Adamawa State Government for the pivotal role they have played towards the development of Vehicle Transit Areas and Border Information Centre in Adamawa State.
Eduwa maintained that NSC as a facilitator of the projects will also play their role towards the realization of the VTAs and BICs in Adamawa state.
The terms of reference of the Implementation committee include collaborating with relevant agencies such as ICRC to obtain all the necessary guidelines for the development of Vehicle Transit Area in line with standard specifications and in compliance with international best practices, to identify all the essential requirements for execution of VTAs from inception to operational level and to also collaborate with landowners/host communities in order to create adequate sensitization and secure their buy-in and ensure the successful take-off of the projects.
