Economic growth: Experts harp on good roads network, call for transportation policy

Experts in the transportation sector have said efforts to revive the nation’s economy may not yield the desired results without adequate attention being paid to the transport sector, with special emphasis on roads.

They, therefore, called for a National Transport Policy among other things to fix the sector and lift the nation economically.

The industry stakeholders made the call during a webinar organised by the Road Committee of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration which had as theme “Challenge and opportunities of road transportation in Nigeria.”

The panellists included Bashir Jamoh, National President of the Institute, Prof.S.G Odewumi, Prof. Calistus Ibe, Dr Kayode Opeifa, Dr Mrs Mercy Ilori, Dr Taiwo Salaam, Hon. Umar Iya among others.

Giving a background of the situation of road networks in the country, they said Nigeria has over 194,200 kilometres of roads, with the Federal Government having 34,179 km, states 30,489 km and local governments having 129,531 km.

Listing some of the problems militating against having good road networks in the country, they faulted a situation whereby the Ministry of Works would build roads without input from the Ministry of Transportation or any reference to it.

They also decried the situation where road projects are poorly funded and not always built to specifications.

They further condemned the vandalism of roads by unscrupulous persons and that lack of adequate drainages on roads affects their life span.