PUBLIC SUPPORT AND PROSPECTS OF DRONES OR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs) TECHNOLOGIES FOR EFFECTIVE TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focuses on the issue that prompt transportation and delivery of logistics from one location to the other in Nigeria is at present costly, difficult, unrealistic, and cumbersome as occasioned by; road congestion in urban cities, increased, insecurity pollution, unnecessary delays, and declined efficiency, among others. The menace often poses threats to city planners to maintain the pace of the ever increasing urbanization process and population growth in all ramifications. The current situation has, however, warranted possibility for drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) technology for logistics delivery and transportation in Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations, to alleviate the stress posed by the conventional mode of transportation. This paper is poised to: investigate the public support and prospects of using of drones or UAVs for effective transport or logistics delivery, and also find out its applications in other sectors in Nigeria; examine the potential threats or barriers to the application; appraise the technology’s cost-effectiveness, acceptability, local sustainability; and recommend the parameters around adoption, safety or security, reliability of drones technology, and effective monitoring for future implementation in Nigeria. The study generated its data from both primary and secondary sources while the research findings are comprehensively and descriptively analyzed. The study, however, recommends to transport sector, governments, end-users, and drone providers on logistics delivery to swiftly ensure that: safety of drone operations; insurance coverage availability be taken care of; ensure regulatory and procedural frameworks, better assessment and evaluation of drone pilot programmes; strengthening national and local capacity to test, learn, use and maintain drones; and ensure that evidences and prospects that could aid advancing the use of drones for logistics delivery or transport in the country be adequately shared.