Sen. Alkali, Champions Decarbonising Inland Transport at the 86th UNECE Session, Geneva
Oru Leonard
Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, Champions Decarbonising Inland Transport at the 86th UNECE Session, Geneva, Switzerland
Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, the Honorable Minister of Transportation in a compelling keynote address at the ongoing 86th Session of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee has underlined Nigeria’s commitment to ambitious climate action and the decarbonization of inland transport by 2050. The session, held in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on the critical role of inland transport in the global fight against climate change.
In his address, the Nigerian Minister highlighted the vital importance of transportation in societal development and its significant impact on the environment. With transportation being a major catalyst for economic growth, the Minister stressed the need for a holistic approach to mitigate its environmental repercussions, emphasizing the theme of the conference: “Taking Ambitious Climate Action Decarbonising Inland Transport by 2050.”
The Nigerian Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has taken proactive steps towards reducing emissions from inland transport. Minister Alkali proudly announced the inauguration of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG) in October 2023, a bold move towards adopting cleaner and more affordable energy sources for transportation, thereby reducing Nigeria’s dependency on petrol and diesel. This initiative aims to promote a cleaner environment, energy security, and the economic wellbeing of Nigerians by transitioning to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Furthermore, Minister Alkali outlined Nigeria’s broader efforts to combat climate change, including dialogues with stakeholders, promotion of cycling, non-motorized, and electric vehicles, and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% to 60% by 2060. He also called upon the media and participants to join the campaign for an efficient and greener transport system in Nigeria.
The session featured three panel discussions focusing on critical partnerships, bridging regulators and innovators, and the crucial nexus of international financial and regulatory support for climate action. These discussions underscored the transport sector’s pivotal role in contributing to global energy-related CO2 emissions and the imperative for transformative action within inland transport to achieve sustainability goals.
As the Minister declared the conference session open, he invited all participants and stakeholders to contribute meaningfully towards achieving the shared vision of a decarbonized transport sector. The conference aims to serve as a platform for networking, sharing innovative solutions, and setting the course for future policy directions in the quest for sustainable and responsible transportation.
Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali’s participation at the 86th UNECE Inland Transport Committee session marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s dedication to leading by example in the global effort to combat climate change through sustainable transportation initiatives.
