The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Olorunola Olufemi, has emphasised the need for sustainable, safe, and efficient transport modes in response to rapid urbanisation and population growth.

Olufemi highlighted walking and cycling as key components of a healthier and more sustainable urban transport system.

The permanent secretary stated this at a two-day capacity building programme ‘Safer Roads for Pedestrians and Cyclists in Nigeria’ in Abuja, on Thursday.

Olufemi, who was represented by the Deputy Director, of Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration of the Ministry, Akhidenor Cynthia, pointed out that Nigerian cities were predominantly characterised by informal transport systems, which have significant negative impacts on residents’ health, socio-economic status, and the environment.

The permanent secretary, who spoke on the theme ‘Walking and Cycling as tools for unlocking sustainable mobility and development in Nigerian cities‘ stressed the the need to create safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists to improve overall well-being and urban harmony.

He said, “The rapid population growth urbanisation with limited provision of quality transport system to meet the growing need makes it imperative to adopt more sustainable safe and efficient modes of transport which walking and cycling symbolise.

“Our city’s transport landscape is largely dominated by transport informalities with attendant externalities that impact the health, socio-economic and environmental wellbeing of residents.

“Today, we come together with a shared purpose to create a future where our roads are safer for pedestrians and cyclists, ensuring their wellbeing and promoting a sense of harmony in our country.”

He added that the ministry as the lead government agency, has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable transport and implementing various industry reforms.

He introduced the project as part of the efforts by the FG which is aimed to integrate walking and cycling into urban mobility plans.

The organiser of the programme, Chief Executive Officer, of Ochenuell Mobility, Emmanuel John, highlighted the long-standing neglect of cycling as a means of transport due to inadequate attention and development.

John emphasised that the lack of proper infrastructure, limited policy initiatives, and insufficient public awareness have left many people feeling unsafe about cycling on roads.

To address these issues, he said the NGO was introducing a draft for a national cycling policy.

He said, “Generally, cycling has not received the desired attention over the years. For that reason, people seldom use it as a means of transport.

“However, due to the lack of infrastructure, limited policy development, lack of knowledge and public awareness, many people are afraid of cycling on the road because they feel it is unsafe.

“The lack of safety is a function of infrastructure, poor policy implementation, and a poor regulatory enforcement system that will ensure your safety.

“In the course of this programme, we are presenting a draft of the national cycling policy to stakeholders. On June 3, we will present a second draft during a larger stakeholders meeting.”

The project is being carried out as a collaboration between seven Nigerian organisations in collaboration with the United Nations Habitat and the UN Road Safety Trust Fund.

The Nigerian Stakeholders include the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health, Federal Road Safety Corps, Africa Urban Cycling Organisation, Transportation Growth Initiative, Greenlight Initiative, Driving School Association of Nigeria, and Ochenuell Mobility.