Urban Road Transportation in Nigeria From 1960 To 2006: Problems, Prospects And Challenges.

The nature of urban road transportation problems in Nigeria as at today can best be appreciated by looking at the trend of its development since Nigeria came into existence. Thus, this paper, attempt a cursory review of urban road transportation system in Nigeria from 1960 to 2006 (a period of 46 years). The paper adopts exploratory method of research to examine and discuss relevant issues of interest in the history of Nigeria road transport system in six sections. It was discovered that urban road transport system in Nigeria is inefficient and grossly inadequate even after 46 years of becoming independent from Colonial Rule. The paper suggested the construction of more motor-able roads within cities in order to increase the network; encourage increased public and private participation in the provision of transport services within cities and inter-cities transport system. The adoption of motorcycle as public mode of transportation in cities should be institutionalized since the users are constrained to use this means of transportation in the absence of alternative. However, policies guiding the regulations and use of this mode should be formulated and monitored so that its use would not impact negatively on the commuters' mobility rights and lives. Similarly, government should provide enabling environment that would guaranty efficient and adequate movement of vehicles in cities. Keywords: commuting distance, Tokunbo, commuters, Kabukabu, Okada Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management Vol. 1 (1) 2008: pp. 7-1

Luxurious Buses As Means Of Night Journey In Nigeria: Challenges and Implications For Transportation Planning.

While, past studies on road safety have been restricted to accident, recent events today show that the issue of safety goes beyond accident. This study investigates the level of safety of night journey using luxurious buses in Nigeria and examines how it could be improved. 150 questionnaires which were designed to elicit related information on road safety in the night were randomly administered to patrons and operators of luxurious buses. Result shows that one of the major reasons for the attack by armed robbers on luxurious buses is to deprive commuters of their cash and luggage. It was also discovered that journey times are often prolonged during the day when buses pass through cities because of traffic congestions and reduced during the night when congestions are reduced. This indeed is an advantage. However, night journeys are prone to attacks of armed robbers and accidents of which assistance may not be readily available on time. The study therefore recommends that security personnel trained to combat armed robbers should be used as escorts and secret intelligent personnel be employed by transport companies to monitor the activities of their workers as well as commuters patronizing them. Metal screening equipments should also be used at the point of embankment not only for the passengers but as well as their luggage. Travelers should adopt the new methods of money transfer to discourage robbery cases on our roads. Passengers should also keep their traveling plans secret as much as possible as a way of fostering safety. Keywords: night journey, armed robbers, luxurious buses and police escorts Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management Vol. 1 (3) 2008: pp. 52-6