It is appalling that the Federal Government just approved some of the transport bills that were supposed to have been passed long before now.
Some stakeholders have even referred to non-passage of the bills as being embarrassing considering their importance to the growth and development of the sector.
The bills among others include; the National Transport Commission Bill (2015); National Roads Fund Bill and the Federal Roads Authority Bill. The rest are Nigerian Ports and Harbour Authority Bill (2015); National Inland Waterways Authority Bill (2015) and Nigeria Railway Authority Bill (2015).
Some of these bills are as old as the upwards of ten years especially the Port and Harbour Bill which is supposed to engender a creative growth and more revenue to the government.
But like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which has been said to be frustrated by foreign investors in connivance with some government agencies for their selfish interests, it is also suspicious that similar albatross is attached to the transport bills; solely to benefit few, leaving the masses to groan.
The approval is coming at a time when the stakeholders in the transport sector had expected that the bills should have been passed before the expiration of the present senate.
The likelihood that the bills will see any green light before the end of the 7th senate is a far cry because of the present electioneering campaigns and subsequent change of government after the elections which might witness another round of litigation due to those who might want to claim that they have been shortchanged during the elections.
Essentially, the reality of the bills becoming laws is another mirage because the next National Assembly will have to start all over from the scratch for to pass the bills.
This will include taking time to study them before commencement of the legislative processes especially if the new National Assembly members consist of virtually new members.
Some have even believed that the recent approval is another form of political gimmicks which is meant to canvass supports for the government but it came at a time when all hopes seem to have been dampened.
However, Nigerians are all ears waiting for the time the National Assembly will commence the proceedings on the passage to become laws. Time will sure tell if they have the speed so amazing to carry out the legislative work. But to achieve this within this short period of time, it requires a commitment that is above the ordinary.
