Lagos — NIGERIA'S development plans since independence have accorded high priority to the enhancement of transport infrastructure on which about 20 per cent of development funds has been invested. However, a lot needs to be done especially in the areas of maintenance of infrastructure and the co-ordination of the different modes. Besides the insufficient capital funds allocated, the lack of coherent national strategy in transport co-ordination leads to isolated consideration of projects with little use of economic evaluation techniques and appraisal of existing capacities.

There is the rising cost in road construction with contractors frequently asking for review of contract costs as a result of increase in the prices of materials such as spare parts, plant and equipment. The Nigerian Railway Corporation does not have adequate rolling stock, locomotive engines and equipment. Consequently, its operational services have been severely reduced. The availability of and utilization of plant and equipment at the ports and other areas of water transport have deteriorated in recent years.

The problems of under-utilisation of Nigeria airports, the unviability of most of the airports coupled with the high maintenance cost of airports, aircraft and safety equipment create recurrent difficulties. Owing to the capital intensive nature of the aviation industry and the high foreign component of this capital, the cost of spares and maintenance of facilities and aircraft are enormous.

Some policy guidelines have been evolved. Despite public protests, the need for effective cost recovery strategies involving road user charges on roads and bridges to generate funds for the provision of additional facilities and the rehabilitation of highway network must be emphasized. There are also the need to ensure the installation and effective use of weigh-bridges to check excessive aisle loading, the provision of traffic signs, traffic lights, pedestrian walkways, guard rails and other essential devices to reduce blackspots on the roads. Efforts are necessary towards the enforcement of safety measures and the provision of deterrents to flagrant and illegal destruction and removal of guard rails specifically provided to enhance road safety. Governments should endeavour to establish emergency communication systems along the highways to assist accident victims particularly in respect of medical needs and assistance in cases of attack by armed robbers.

The ongoing reconstruction of the Nigerian Railways, although rather belated, will revitalize the rail mode. Nigerian politicians and the Sani Abacha notorious regime compounded the woes of the rail system by corrupt programmes of rail rehabilitation which did more harm than good. Our best bet is to adopt the rail privatization scheme of Great Britain which enables the government to control the basic infrastructure while private operators run the wagons and coaches.

The ports privatization scheme seems to be working very well. Action, however, needs to be continuous in monitoring its progress especially in relation to facilitating the fast delivery of imports and availability of vital equipment. Dredging activities intended to enhance the navigability of the waterways all the year round deserve urgent attention.

Recent government intervention in advancing air transportation over the last three years after a number of disastrous accidents has been very encouraging and transparently effective. Our airports are now better maintained and more attention is now given to prompt repairs and replacement of dysfunctional safety equipment and navigational aids. Telecommunication and meteorological equipment are also provided and attended to in order to improve safety and meet international standards.

We no longer hear much about the operations of the urban mass transit programmes in both the federal and state governments. This is an area of critical importance in view of the growing traffic congestion in the towns and cities all over the federation. Addressing this issue requires strategies such as metroline, park and ride and even and odd numbers of vehicular movement.

The current transport reform strategy is typified by the landlord model. The model seeks to unbundle the operations and functions of the respective corporations. Private operators are granted concessions to run the port terminals, rail routes and airports while the authorities remain the landlord. The reform strategy proposes the establishment of an independent regulator to regulate the sector. Five bills are awaiting passage into law by the National Assembly. They are the National Transport Commission bill, Ports and Harbour bill, Nigerian Railway Commission bill, Nigerian Inland Waterways bill and the Roads bill. The Civil Aviation Authority bill has been passed into law. It replaced the Civil Aviation Authority Act.

Under the National Transport Commission bill, the body will be set up as a multi-sector regulator. The ports and harbour bill will ensure the integrity, efficiency and safety of the ports based on the principles of accountability, competition, fairness and transparency. It will encourage private investment in port infrastructure, promote private sector participation in the provision of port services and facilities.

The Nigerian Railway Commission bill provides for private sector participation for the provision of railway services and railway infrastructure. It also provides for the regulation of the railway sector by an independent regulator. The Nigerian Inland Waterways bill provides for the increased private sector participation in private sector investment in inland waterways. The Roads bill will provide for a Nigerian Roads Board, the promotion of sustainable development and operation of the road sector and financing, maintenance and improvement of roads in Nigeria.

The latest innovation in the Nigerian transport sector is the Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS) which is a road transport regulatory policy which stipulates minimum safety requirements for fleet operators with more than five vehicles in their fleet. The field inspectors of the federal road safety commission will carry out periodic checks on the vehicles, the drivers and their operating terminals before they embark on any trip. The formal flag-off of the scheme took place on September 11, 2007.

CHUMA IFEDI, Satellite Town, Lagos.