The Federal Executive Council in Nigeria has approved eight draft bills aimed at boosting transportation in the oil rich nation that has road transportation as its major transport system.
Some of the bills approved are the National Transport Commission Bill 2014, the Nigerian Railway Authority Bill 2014, the Nigerian Ports and Harbour Bill 2014, the National Inland Water Ways Authority Bill 2014 and the National Road Reform Bill 2014.
Others are the Federal Roads Authority Bill 2014, the Nigerian Postal Commission Bill 2014, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill 2014.
National Great Green Wall Bill
Briefing reporters at the end of the council meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the council also approved the draft Bill for the establishment of the National Great Green Wall (GGW) and the National Policy on the Staple Crop Processing Zones which would guide the development, management and operation of staple crop zones.
It was a council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, with most of the Ministers in attendance.
The Federal Executive Council believes that the draft bills will go a long way to benefit all Nigerians.
The minister of transport and his colleague in the Works Ministry shed more lights on what the transport reform bills were out to do.
According to the Minister of Industries Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, explained that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill would tackle unfair business practices and provide a fair and competitive environment for industry, trade and investment.
Mr Aganga said the implementation of the policy would address the various trade concerns and provide a level playing ground for businessmen in the interest of consumers, in particular, and the economy at large.
The new policy would forestall the emergence of private monopolies, cartels, engender fair trade and ensure that Nigerian consumers got value for their money.
The GGW draft Bill would help government to carry out projects aimed at reducing the menace of desert encroachment and associated ecological problems. The Bill will provide the legal framework that will guide the implementation of the projects.
In September 2014, the Presidency released over 16 billion Naira for the early take-off of the GGW project.
The release of the money was confirmed in a letter by the Minister of Environment, Mrs Lawrencia Laraba Mallam, to President Goodluck Jonathan through vice President Namadi Sambo.
Also addressing the reporters, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the staple Crop Processing Zones Policy would enable Nigerians to guide against losses incurred in food processing.
The Council said the bills would be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment into law and expressed hopes that it would receive prompt attention from the lawmakers so that Nigerians will begin to benefit from the Federal Government initiatives.
