Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustainable urban transportation by sponsoring a two-day South-East regional transport conference in Umuahia, in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA).
Governor’s Support for the Conference
Governor Otti’s Senior Special Assistant on Transportation, Dr. Obioma Nwogbe, a fellow of CIOTA, stated that participants at the conference would gain deeper insight into the practical implementation of sustainable urban mobility and smart transport operations in the state. Nwogbe explained that the governor, through his support for the conference, is encouraging other South-East states to participate, expressing optimism that the initiative could become a benchmark for the region and the country. He noted that sustainable urban mobility and green energy transportation systems are the future of modern transport development.
“The government of Dr. Alex Otti chose to support the conference because CIOTA is the policy-making body for transport systems in the country,” he said. “He wants to sustain the momentum in the transport sector by collaborating with the institute to ensure seamless policy development, transport planning, master plans, and efficient transport system operations. The governor believes CIOTA is a strategic body the state should partner with in the area of transport policy and system management.”
Conference Details and Theme
Earlier, while briefing journalists on Wednesday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia — the venue of the event — the South-East Coordinator of CIOTA, Mrs. Ijeoma Clara Okere, disclosed that the conference would hold from June 17 to 19 and would be formally declared open on June 18. She said the conference is themed: “Advancing Urban Transport Through Sustainable Urban Mobility and Green Energy Solutions.”
According to her, the event aims to promote sustainable urban mobility and green energy solutions in the transportation sector. She added that the conference would bring together transport professionals, government officials, development agencies, academics, captains of industry, and transport operators to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions for the future of transportation in the region and across Nigeria.
“The theme reflects the urgent need for Nigerian cities and urban centres to embrace innovative, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable transportation systems capable of meeting the mobility needs of our growing population while contributing to national development and environmental sustainability,” she said.
Transport Challenges in the South-East
Okere lamented that despite the South-East being one of Nigeria’s most vibrant economic regions, it still faces major transportation challenges, including traffic congestion, inadequate public transport infrastructure, environmental degradation, road safety concerns, and rising demand for efficient mobility solutions. She stressed that the realities require coordinated action, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration.
Conference Programme
She explained that the conference programme has been designed to facilitate discussions on sustainable urban mobility, transport infrastructure development, clean energy transportation technologies, smart mobility systems, logistics efficiency, transport policy reforms, investment opportunities, and public-private partnerships.
On the programme lineup, Okere said Governor Alex Otti would serve as Chief Host, while former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, would chair the event. She added that the keynote address would be delivered by Professor Innocent Ogwude, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
