The Senate at its plenary session of Thursday, 15 March 2018, passed the National Transport Commission Bill, 2018. The Commission is to serve as an independent Commission responsible for regulating the transport industry.
Presenting the report of the Joint Committees on Land Transport, Marine Transport and Aviation, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa (APC: Lagos) stated the objectives of the Bill to include:
- Establishing the National Transport Commission as an effective, impartial and independent regulatory authority in the transport sector;
- Promoting the implementation of the national transport policy;
- Providing an economic regulatory framework for the transport sector;
- Providing a mechanism for monitoring compliance of government agencies and transport operators; and
- Protecting the rights, interests of service operators and users of the transport sector within Nigeria. It also seeks to create an enabling environment for private sector participation in the transport industry.
Sen. Ashafa informed lawmakers that in view to carrying out its legislative assignment, the Joint Committees constituted a technical committee and conducted a public hearing to consult with relevant stakeholders and review the submissions of the general public on the Bill. He explained that the bill, would reduce the cost of doing business, enhance efficiency and promote innovation in the transport sector.
