By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria has been directed to re-design a robust strategy towards repositioning the institute to beat the upcoming transport schools in Nigeria, while handing out warning that training abroad for staff of the ministry would no longer be tolerated.
Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo made the remarks during the commissioning of projects and inspection of the ongoing projects at the Institute.
Sambo tasked the NITT to provide a leading role in putting Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector in its rightful place in the global space.
He implored the institute to devise strategies to advance the transportation sector and increase its standard particularly as there are upcoming transport schools in Nigeria.
“NITT should also upgrade its curricular in accordance with global best practices, and affiliate with other schools towards increasing the knowledge base of lecturers and beneficiaries,’’ the minister said.
According to him, there is no need for the ministry and agencies under the ministry to send their staff abroad for training when we have such an institute in Zaria.
“Madam permanent secretary, when you forward any request to me for training abroad such requests will not be granted unless institute’s like this cannot provide such training.
“There is no need of spending such scarce resources on training that can be provided in NITT.
“ I will not approve any foreign training if I know that such training is available in Nigeria and more so in the NITT,’’ he said.
The Minister commended the institute for the rapid infrastructural development adding that the unique transformations would open doors for more patronage.
He said the institute was established to bridge some gaps in the transport and logistics sector of the economy, stressing the institute has produced numerous experts to bridge these capacity gaps.
Sambo said he was pleased with the expanded programmes and upgraded curriculum of the school which he said matched the global standard.
“I am particularly delighted with the transport technology centre; the center was equipped with the modern equipment and tools that was designed to enable the institute to achieve its mandate effectively,’’ he said.
Earlier, Director-General of NITT, Dr Bayero Saleh-Farah appealed for improved budgetary allocation to the Institute.
The DG said the institute was facing shortage of land in the headquarters, adding that the 27 hectares of land space was filled up, leaving no room for further expansion.
