AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF INLAND WATER TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

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AN EVALUATIVE STUDY OF INLAND WATER TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background to the Study

One of the inescapable basic needs of modern societies is transport which many scholars have identified as the arteries and lifelines through which national economic systems functions (Ogundare, 2010). Little wonder then that Munby (1968) said that “there is no escape from transport”.

Faulks (1982), described transport as “the movement of passengers or goods from where they are to where their relative value is greater”. He asserted that in the case of people, this may be for a variety of reasons of an economic or personal nature and in the case of goods exchange or business, it is considered as an auxiliary to trade and industry in carrying raw materials to the place of production and distributing finished products for consumption. Thus removing distance barrier.

Samaila (1999) rightly observed that in any human endeavour or activity be it social, cultural, economic or political, the need for movement from place to place and conveying things, transmitting messages and disseminating news, information and ideas is very paramount. Hardly any development can take place in a society without transport services as there is always the need to collect, assemble, transfer and distribute persons and things in small or large quantities and over short and longer distances.

The journeys, to work, business, shopping, recreation, entertainment, to social, cultural and religious functions as well as those undertaken for administrative purpose are all carried out in a variety of transport media.

The crucial importance of transport as a necessary condition of man’s socio- economic development is widely recognized as without its availability and efficiency, all other development programmes cannot reach maximum effectiveness. Smith (1966), argued that, “In an exchange economy we can regard transport as the one land use that makes other land uses possible”

The efficient functioning of a national economy therefore, depends largely on the adequacy and efficiency of its transport system.

It is against this background that the work intends to take an in-depth study of transportation in Epe area of Lagos with particular focus to water transportation.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa with potentials for economic and development, has reached a stage where further economic expansion requires a reasonable development of effective integrated transport system and infrastructural development so as to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Omotoesho (2007).

According to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) brochure Lagos is considered to be the sixth largest city and one of the most rapidly urbanizing metropolitan areas in the world. Its population is estimated at between 12 and 15 million inhabitants. When compared with 8 to 9 million in London, 8 million in New York and 7 million in Paris, Lagos is one of the world’s Mega- cities.

The LAMATA brochure further revealed that at the moment, movement is mainly road based either by private car or by buses. The strategic road network in Lagos – the major primary, distributor and collector roads – covers no more than 650 kilometers. Currently, some 200, 000 vehicles are registered annually in Lagos. Nationally there are 11 vehicles to every kilometer of road, whereas in Lagos there are 222 vehicles to every kilometer. Figures for newly registered motor vehicles in the year 2007 were put at 187,442, in the year 2008 were put at 239,922 and in the year 2009 were put at 210,798 (Lagos Bureau of statistics, 2010).

Over the years in Lagos state, capacity expansion has been regarded as a major panacea to minimization of road traffic congestion in metropolitan Lagos. Ironically, the construction of new roads and expansion of old ones by successive administrations in Lagos has never ameliorated the problem (Adejare, 2011).

The existing pressure on the overstressed road mode is a cause for concern, when considering the fact that other modes of transport exists to complement the road mode (Durojaiye, 2008). The economic and social waste from congestions associated with road transport necessitates the need that water transportation emerges as a full time support to the development of Lagos.

Several parts of Lagos state, including Epe the study area, are linked to others by waterways. However, this has not been properly developed, thus people still have to travel by road instead of through the faster and easier waterways. This study is therefore designed to investigate why water transport is not well used in the area. It is also the goal of this study to investigate its use and problems associated with water transportation in the study area.

The inadequacies in the transport infrastructure, facilities and services at different areas in Epe division, the level of competition between inland waterways and road transportation which should be of complementary uses also suggests the need for this research.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

1.3.1. Aim of the Study

The primary aim of this research work is to investigate water transportation in Epe area of Lagos with a view to determine its associated problems.

1.3.2. Objectives of the Study

To identify users of water transport in Epe and their trip purpose.
To examine the present situation of water transport infrastructures, facilities and operation in Epe town.
To examine problems associated with water transport in the study area.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant relationship between income level and use of water transport.

Ho: There is no significant relationship between occupation and use of water transport.

1.5 Justification of the Study

The invisibility of isolated communities served by rural water transport (and the ‘road – bias’ in the transport sector) has led to huge neglect of the waterways by policy makers and planners.

Budgetary allocations both at the Federal and state levels on water transport are low compared to road transport. Also, there are implications for high levels of regulation resulting from the perceived lack of safety of water transport.

In Epe, road transport is recent compared to water transport. However, Epe’s transport climate is presently dominated by mechanized vehicles plying the roads. Water transport which is important not just for its own sake, but because it has the potential to eliminate poverty and reduce isolation has been neglected, marginalized and de-prioritized.

Epe represents a medium sized town in Nigeria that could serve as a case study which could be used to correct some anomalies in the transport system of other areas, so that efficient, adequate and reliable transportation may be achieved in most cities. The choice of Epe is therefore based on the premise that no specific or well organized studies have been undertaken to understand water transportation and its facilities. The study is therefore necessary at this point in time to raise the profile of water transport in the transport sector and among development planners in general. By increasing its visibility as an issue, contributing to new knowledge about the impact of water transport upon people’s mobility and access needs, and highlighting its potential benefits for the environment.

The result of this study will further reveal that dependency on a single mode of transport, while other modes present lie untapped, would certainly not solve people’s mobility problems. But such mode, supported alongside other transport options in a complementary and integrated fashion can open the door to better mobility even for some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

This basically, focuses on noted limiting factors or issues that created some form of hindrances to the outlined program of activities during the reconnaissance surveys. They vary in their nature and scope across different places of the study area. These are however outlined below as problems that were encountered during field survey activities.

Limitation could be related to level of education of the respondents, authentication of data collected etc. These points are further emphasized by the fact that human beings can be rational and irrational hence the understanding of their psychology in a view to persuade such individuals to supply comprehensive valid data had to be anticipated as was clearly encountered during the administration of the questionnaires. It was also not easy obtaining the relevant information from the bulk of available information as it pertains to the research. Among others, the respondents were not willing to respond but after much perforation some obliged while others declined totally. The issue of contemporary relevance and social acceptance; language barrier was also a problem as most of the respondents speaks Yoruba.

1.7 The Study Area – Epe

1.7.1 Study Location

Epe is situated in the South-Westerly location of the country, Nigeria, in Lagos State. It lies between Latitude 6^O17¹N, 6^O36¹N and longitude 2^O42¹E, 4^O15¹E. It is bounded in the North by Ogun State, in the South by Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, in the West by Lagos mainland Local Government Area and in the East by the Lagoon.

1.7.2 Climate

Epe possesses a tropical climate and this is characterized by all year round high temperature and humidity. There is an abundance of rain water in the town making it a drought free zone but its consequence include the unbearable discomfort suffered during the daily traffic congestions and the adverse damages which affects the technologies of transport such as corrosion and overheating of internal combustion engines. It is common to find public passenger services vehicles operating with doors widely opened as to improve the ventilation systems.

Temperature is generally high in Epe town and ranges between the mean annual maximum of 30^Oc (86^OF) and the mean annual being 23^Oc (75^OF) in one way or the other influencing most trip generations (Akingbola, 2008). People prefer to travel either in the morning or evening when the weather is cool and it is a common observation to find a bulk in traffic flow in the afternoon when the weather is hottest.

1.7.3 Vegetation

The vegetation found within Epe town is composed mainly of the swamp forest in the coastal belt and lowland forest. The swamp forest is composed mainly of the mangrove variety and occupies the fresh water lagoons and estuaries.

1.7.4 Topography/Relief

Topographically, Epe lies entirely within the coastal plain and the land does not rise over 650 metres above the sea level. Most of its land area lies below 320 metres above sea level and this subjects most of the areas to floods and beach erosion.

It is nearly level placing i.e. gentle undulating plain at about 2%.

1.7.5 Soil

The soil found within Epe town is composed mainly of a very deep well drained soil and very deep poorly moderately drained soil (Alluvium soil). Swamp lands to not provide social foundation for land based transport modes e.g. road and rail systems.

1.7.6. Population

The 2006 national population census put the town’s population at about 181, 409. Estimate shows male population to be 91, 105, and female population to be 90, 304. It also shows that there has been an annual rate of 2% decrease in the population of Epe which as at 1993 was put at 400,000 in the Lagos state master plan.

1.7.7 Development

While the town of Epe is not of European origin, its growth and development has been significantly shaped by Western influences.

The urbanization of Epe started from the mid-eighteenth century when the people started the import and export business with the other neighbouring cities and countries through the Epe port.

The economy of Epe since the earlier period depends upon the three factors that are, the Agricultural productions, fishing and some manufacturing industries. Among 70% of the people in Epe are either farmers or fishermen. All the women in Epe also participate equally in the growth of the town. Even though Epe is a town at present, it will soon be counted among the developing cities. The development of the town has not made the people reluctant in following the traditions and culture of their forefathers. They are very simple and caring by nature and have a strong sense of religion. The people of Epe in Nigeria follow the Christian religion.

The majority of the population of Epe belongs to an ethnic group known as the Ijebus. Epe is a social town and a Local Government Area (L.G.A.). Other settlements in the L.G.A. are about 311, including Agbowalkosi, Itoiki, Ejrin, Onisawasawa, Ubuja, Ipabodo and numerous others.