*As Nigeria ranks among top 10 gas flaring countries
By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Professor Iyiola Oni, a Professor of Transportation, has called on the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FGN) to evolve transport and environmental problem-solving policies to maintain balance in the relationship between transport and the environment.
Oni, a specialist in transportation and logistics, said the environmental policy should focus on control measures such as physical planning and developmental control.
According to him, the introduction of transport technologies with negative effects minimization policy that has to be actionable jointly at all levels has become imperative in the country.
In addition, he suggested integrated policy framework for multimodal transport and sustainability, and called for investment in green technologies, namely: renewable energy sources, electric and hybrid vehicles.
He urged Nigerian government to promote policy and regulatory frameworks like “policies and and regulations that incentivize sustainable practices such as emission standards, fuel efficiency requirements and massive investment in public transportation and mass transit.”
The transport and logistics expert emphasized the imperativeness of implementing smart technologies and digital platforms for the improvement of the transport sector.
Oni made the recommendations while delivering a lecture on the topic: “Transportation and Logistics in Sustainable Development” at South-West Zonal Conference (Lagos 2024) organized by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA).
He said, “As transport brought economic and social development and benefits, it has equally attracted disbenefits: Negativities and externalities viz: traffic congestion, traffic accidents, pollution – air, water, noise, community severance, poor aesthetics, environmental degradation and health deterioration.”
Highlighting the benefits of transport, he narrated that while “transport and storage sector was valued at 2.6 trillion Naira ($6.9 billion), Nigeria Freight and Logistics Market size is estimated at 10.2 billion USD in 2024.”
Oni disclosed that Nigeria ranks in the top 10 gas flaring countries in the world.
He pointed out that gas flaring is the prime mover of atmospheric pollution and environmental degradation. “The phenomenon”, he declared, “has brought the socio-economic loss and health-related problems in Niger Delta.”
The Professor of Geography emphasized that the gas being flared could be channelled towards meeting the ever increasing demand for energy in Nigeria.
Oni also recommended that environmental policy should focus on control measures such as physical planning and developmental control.
He called for campaign strategies by voluntary and professional pressure groups, emphasizing the need for “heavy subsidy by government in transport externalities research investment.”
The don charged community-based and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) to exert more pressure on policy makers against transport negativities.
The lecturer highlighted the importance of “technology transfer and the use of electric vehicles powered by batteries or fuels and advanced combustion modifications in mitigating the hazards caused by transportation.
“Universities, Research Development Institutes and related agencies should work together to formulate low-emitting fuels and cleaner alternatives,” Professor Oni said.
Highlighting the role of transportation on sustainable development, Oni asserted that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) could only be realistic with a good transport and logistics system.
“Poverty can only be eradicated when people and goods are moved from the place of surplus to place of need,” he stated.
He explained that zero hunger requires good logistics warehousing system for food preservation, and clarified that good health and well-being can only be guaranteed when transport system is effective.
“Integrated policy framework for multimodal transport and sustainability,” he announced, is a strategy for enhancing sustainability in transportation and logistics.
