Problems and Challenges Facing the Nigerian Transportation System Which Affect Their Contribution to the Economic Development of the Country in the 21st Century

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss the current problems and challenges facing the four major modes of transportation in Nigeria, which affect their continued contribution to the economic development of the country in the 21st Century as well as their prospects for further development in the future. Data used were obtained from in-depth literature search in books, journals and relevant government publications as well as oral interviews and field observations. The historical development of each mode and the role it played in the economic development of the country in the past are presented and then the challenges and problems that affect their continued contribution to the economic development of the country are discussed. Presently, the movement of people and all types of goods all over the country is handled by road transport. while roads are overused and also wrongly used in Nigeria the waterways have a lot of capacity that is not being utilized. In addition, pipelines are no longer used and petroleum product are now moved the already congested roads so pipeline are not discussed separately. While roads are overused and also wrongly used in Nigeria the waterways have a lot of capacity that is not being utilized. Railways were heavily used in the past but sparingly used now while the airways are heavily used but still need a lot of improvement and expansion. The major result of the predominant use of road transportation over all the other modes are environmental problems of road transportation and high frequency of road traffic accidents on Nigerian roads. The problem of inefficiencies at the ports of Nigeria has led to missed opportunities for receiving more imports at the Nigerian seaports from other countries as well as goods meant for Nigerian ports being diverted to other ports along the coast of West Africa. The inland waterways have a lot of capacity that is not being utilized while the railway system is old and obsolete. The airways are heavily used but still need a lot of improvement and expansion. All these adversely affect the contribution of these modes of transport to the economic development of the country. The paper suggested sustainable ways of handling these problems and challenges so that these modes can continue their contribution to the economic development of Nigeria in the 21st Century.