CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1              BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

One of the challenges to the economics and special well being of Nigerian in the past five years is the steady decline in the number of transport facilities nation wide. Nigeria is presently on the verge of an imminent crisis and a state of paralysis in transportation. This is particularly manifested the problems being experienced in our transportation modes such as airways, road and water ways are all over abrasive and are greatly experiencing a number of bottlenecks, and shortage either in rolling (Stocks, number of available public and private vehicles as well as shortage of space parks).

Bye and large, it should be noted that the nature of transportation system of any country is important in determining both the rural plan and the quality of life. In Nigeria, it is important to note that the rapid growth of our nation’s population, the problem of urbanization, the growth of industries and our commitment to rural development are factors that call for an effective implementation of the national transportation coordination policy.   

1.2              STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nigeria has experienced phenomenal growth in its transport facilities apart from the fact that over 20% of the nation’s national development plans, transport facilities have experienced massive growth with regards to road transport, for example total road length increased in quantity and quality from 4, 000km in 1991 to 72,000km in 1958, 113,100 in 1983 and in 1986, the total kilometer range yearly registration of the new motor vehicles grew from 20,000 in 1970 to 190,000 in 1977. this upward increase contrived for some time till 1979 when a decline became noticeable when only (though still high by third world standards) 80,000 was registered in 1979. The decline has continued and more parifully so to our citizens since the beginning of the structural adjustment programme when some price of vehicles have more than quadruped (Adeniyi, 1986). As of now, over 40% of the vehicles in the country are of the roads, as a result of old age or inability of their owners to maintain them owing to downturn of the economy and expensive spare parts. Additionally, another 20% is in a state of disrepair and may be off the road in the next one or two years. This situation continues to increase the pressure on public transport system and one goes through unpleasant sights in our villages where hundred of people walk on foot because of bad road networks. Since transport is actually the pivot on which economic growth in any country revolves, the following questions comes to mind: what are the modes of transportation in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area? What are the problems of transportation in the study area? How have these problems been tackled in the past?      

1.3              PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study include:

i.                    to examine the concept of transportation

ii.                  to examine the types of transportation in Edo State

iii.                to examine the problems facing transportation in Edo State

iv.                to proffer solutions to the problems facing transportation in Edo State.

1.4              SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of significance in several ways. First and foremost, it will help government to have first hand information on the construction and maintenance of roads, considering the fact that road transportation is of vital importance in the movement of people and goods in the society. Furthermore, the study will help transporters to acquire relevant skills towards improving their services. It will also be of help to the officials of the federal road safety corps ho are Incharge of ensuring the safety of lives and the observances of traffic rules in our roads. 

1.5              RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following questions will be answered in the course of the study.

i.                    What are the concepts of transportation in the study area?

ii.                  What are the types of transportation in the study area?

iii.                What are the transport problems in the study area?

iv.                How have these transport problems been?

1.6              SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study shall cover the problems of transport in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.