Abia state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has acknowleged the contributions of the Road Transport Sector towards the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Governor Ikpeazu was speaking when members of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), led by its National President Alhaji Musa Mohammed paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Umuahia.
The Governor said that the activities of RTEAN have made meaningful contributions to foster economic growth in the country in addition to it’s vital role of providing the needed logistic support to governments at the state and federal levels.
“The people involved in transport activities are at the centre of the economy especially in a place like Abia.
“Our people are traders therefore trade and commerce for us is a very serious issue and you cannot support trade and commerce unless you are able to move goods, materials and personnel from one point to the other.
“Transportation is the oil that powers the wheel of trade and commerce that is why you people are very important to us.
“Our government will do everything to ensure that the leadership of the union is protected and allowed to flourish without let in Abia state. I therefore urge the leadership of the union in Abia state to continue to corporate with the state to drive the policies of government”, Ikpeazu said
Governor Ikpeazu called for the application of digital technologies in the operation of transportation and logistics businesses in Nigeria adding that digital technologies had the capacity to improve the use of existing resources in the transport and logistics business as well as improve the wellbeing of commuters.
He commended the conduct of RTEAN, especially in the state, which he described as a product of a robust leadership of the association at the national level.
Earlier, the National President of RTEAN Alhaji Musa Mohammed, said that the association is willing to collaborate with the government to rebrand and reorganise the transport sector.
Mohammed said that the synergy between the government and RTEAN would improve the the economic growth because of the contribution of transportation to development.
“This association has a mandate to encourage professionalism among its members and eliminate all forms of touting in motor parks.
” We will continue to encourage cohesion among our members to promote prosperity in the transport sector as well as support state government’s policies,” he added.
