IT is our shame we always gloss over. It isn’t discussed in our parliaments. Even the omnipresent social media influencers and activists don’t underline it as a social malaise. We all suffer it and smile thereafter. It has become a meretricious subject that aggravates our tribulation even in business. One legacy electronic media organ used to boast that: “you can’t beat the reach” but this reproach has turned around the brand equity slogan to: “you can’t reach the beat”. It is part of consequences of our reproach we can call ‘civic incompetence’. Yes civic incompetence: that reproach, that inability of our civil society organisations (CSOs) to effectively engage with governments, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to promote social change and improve governance.
Here, I mean our failure at all levels to engage the authorities, our duty bearers on the imperative of Mass Transit System in development strategy. As the legendary Fela Anikulapo would have put it today, we all suffer it but instead of protesting and demanding for it, we smile and leave it to God – to punish those who deny us this necessity within the context of welfare and security of the citizens, as the primary purpose of government. Those who deny us are the powerful in Abuja and the 36 state capitals who use allocations from the federation account and taxes to fly over all our bad roads. Yes, they don’t ply our roads: they fly over them.
Here is the deal this week: there is a time for everything. We cannot continue like this by leaving everything to God. Even as a section of the media continues to give dubious awards to our dealers, sorry leaders who have never prioritised mass transit system into their development agenda, we should continue to harp on this significant transport sub-sector, mass transit or integrated transportation system we hardly talk or write about.
Even as the current crop of leaders continue to charter and borrow presidential airplanes to fly over all the bad roads across the 36 states, we should continue to write even for those who would like to run post-Tinubu Nigeria. Here is the thing, those who would like to run Nigeria after Tinubu who will keep budgeting for brand new Lagos-Calabar, Lagos-Sokoto Roads without remembering all the existing federal roads that have worsened inflation and death rates in the country should bookmark this construct. After writing about poor federal road networks in South West, Nigeria recently, I travelled by road from Abuja to Jos. I was shocked by the danger the Akwanga-Jos axis of the roads posed to mankind and commerce. I am talking of the faster routes from Abuja to the heart of North East: Jos-Bauchi-Gombe; Adamawa-Taraba; Borno-Yobe, etc. On these roads of craters and deadly potholes, there are more than 30 tax-points they deodorise as checkpoints (of extortion). How does one explain the neglect of Abuja-Kaduna road too? This is a national reproach those who would like to run Nigeria after President Tinubu should note in their diary of national priorities. Where is that nation even in Africa that doesn’t have a mass transit system for citizens, businesses and immigrants? Where in the world is that nation whose citizens drive from different parts of their cities to drop or pick their loved ones or guests from their airports or motor-parks?
Let’s not get it twisted, the Nigerian government should address mass transit systems and good road infrastructure across the nation as a matter of priority. And the reasons shouldn’t be too far fetched.
NIGERIA, Africa’s once largest economy, undoubtedly faces significant transportation challenges. The lack of efficient mass transit systems and poor road infrastructure hinders economic growth, increases travel time, and affects citizens’ quality of life. Let’s not paper over this crack that the Nigerian government should prioritise addressing these issues to stimulate economic development, improve road safety, and enhance the overall well-being of its citizens. This isn’t new but we seem to have forgotten this as a stale issue as even young workers struggle to prioritise car ownership here as soon as any job is secured. Where are the parents who will accept marriage proposals to their educated daughters from guys who don’t own cars? This is a critical success factor now, no thanks to absence of mass transit system.
Let those who would like to lead Nigeria after Tinubu note this vital repetition that the country’s transportation sector plays a vital role in the country’s economic development. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including inadequate mass transit systems and poor road infrastructure. These challenges result in traffic congestion, increased travel time, and reduced economic productivity. To address these issues, the Nigerian government must prioritise the development of efficient mass transit systems and good road infrastructure.
Besides, efficient mass transit systems are essential for reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens. In Nigeria, the lack of efficient mass transit systems results in: traffic congestion as the absence of efficient mass transit systems leads to an increase in private vehicle usage, resulting in traffic congestion and increased travel time.
Environmental degradation: The reliance on private vehicles contributes to air pollution, negatively impacting the environment and public health.
Economic inefficiencies: The lack of efficient mass transit systems increases transportation costs, reducing economic productivity and competitiveness.
Good road infrastructure is crucial for economic development, road safety, and the overall well-being of citizens. In Nigeria, poor road infrastructure results in:
Road accidents: Poor road conditions contribute to road accidents, resulting in loss of life, injury, and economic losses.
Economic costs: Poor road infrastructure increases transportation costs, reduces economic productivity, and hinders economic growth.
Reduced access to services: Poor road infrastructure limits access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, and markets.
Addressing the challenges of mass transit systems and road infrastructure in Nigeria will have numerous benefits, including:
Economic growth: Efficient mass transit systems and good road infrastructure will stimulate economic growth by reducing transportation costs, increasing economic productivity, and enhancing competitiveness.
Improved road safety: Good road infrastructure will reduce road accidents, saving lives and reducing economic losses.
Enhanced quality of life: Efficient mass transit systems and good road infrastructure will improve the quality of life for citizens by reducing travel time, improving air quality, and increasing access to essentialservices.
To address the challenges of mass transit systems and road infrastructure in Nigeria, the government should:
Develop deliverable, comprehensive transportation policy: The government should develop a comprehensive transportation policy that prioritises the development of efficient mass transit systems and good road infrastructure.
Invest in Mass Transit Systems: The government should invest in the development of efficient mass transit systems, such as bus rapid transit (BRT) systems and rail networks. Nigeria at the moment has only Abuja-to Kaduna for 19 northern states, Lagos-Ibadan for 17 southern states; and Itakpe-Warri for North-Central and South-South states rail networks.
Improve road infrastructure: The government should prioritise the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing roads, as well as the construction of new roads.
*Encourage private sector participation*: The government should encourage private sector participation in the development of mass transit systems and road infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Those who are planning to challenge Tinubu from 2027 or 2031 should note in their diary of strategic planning for Nigeria’s leadership of the black race that the Nigerian government must prioritise addressing the challenges of mass transit systems and road infrastructure to stimulate economic growth, improve road safety, and enhance the overall well-being of its citizens. By developing a comprehensive transportation policy, investing in mass transit systems, improving road infrastructure, and encouraging private sector participation, the government can create a modern, efficient, and safe transportation system that supports the country’s economic development and improves the quality of life for its citizens.
A corollary to the point at issue challengers of Tinubu should asterisk in their 2027-2031 strategy notebook is Critical Road Infrastructure, which plays a vital role in the success of agriculture business, (not oil and gas) which the African Development Bank President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina has identified as the enterprise that will produce the next generation of billionaires in Africa.
The Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms’ legwork in the country has so far revealed to the Committee of significant scholars and technocrats that a well-developed road network would no doubt enable livestock farmers to transport their produce to markets efficiently, reduce transportation costs and increase their competitiveness. The president who is the Chairman of the Committee on whose table all the bucks stop should note that, Livestock business he has boasted about will be a mirage, a pipe dream if the roads across the country remain deathtraps. Here are some examples from developed countries that highlight the importance of critical road infrastructure for agriculture business:
In the United States, the interstate highway system has been instrumental in connecting rural areas to urban markets. This has enabled farmers to transport their produce quickly and efficiently, reducing transportation costs and increasing their competitiveness. Similarly, in Australia, the development of the national highway system has improved access to markets for rural farmers.
In Canada, the construction of the Trans-Canada Highway has significantly reduced transportation costs for farmers. By providing a direct and efficient route to markets, farmers can now transport their produce at a lower cost, increasing their profit margins. Similarly, in the European Union, the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) has improved connectivity between rural areas and urban markets, reducing transportation costs and increasing the competitiveness of farmers . In Japan, the development of the highway system has improved access to markets for rural farmers. By providing a direct and efficient route to markets, farmers can now sell their produce at a higher price, increasing their income. Similarly, in South Korea, the construction of the expressway system has improved access to markets for farmers, enabling them to increase their sales and income.
In Brazil, the development of the road network has improved access to markets for farmers, enabling them to increase their production and sales. This has contributed to improved food security in the country, as more people have access to fresh and nutritious food. Similarly, in China, the construction of the highway system has improved access to markets for farmers, enabling them to increase their production and sales, and contributing to improved food security.
What is more, in India, the development of the national highway system has contributed to economic growth and development. By providing a direct and efficient route to markets, farmers can now transport their produce quickly and efficiently, reducing transportation costs and increasing their country and global competitiveness. This has enabled farmers to increase their income, contributing to economic growth and development.
All told, critical road infrastructure is essential for the success of agriculture businesses, particularly in developing countries. A well-developed road network enables farmers to transport their produce to markets efficiently, reducing transportation costs and increasing their competitiveness. So, the promise of the Ministry of Livestock Development can only be fulfilled in grand style if the road transportation infrastructure and mass transit system can be a priority to national and subnational governments in Nigeria. Who will bookmark this article?
- Oloja is former editor of The Guardian newspaper and his column, Inside Stuff, runs on the back page of the newspaper on Sundays. The column appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays.