Definition of Transportation:
Transportation is the movement of people, animals, goods and commodities from one location to another by different modes which include land, rail, water or pipeline.
Land Transport:
Land transport is the movement or transport of people, animals or goods from one location to another location on land. The two main forms of land transport can be considered to be rail transport and road transport, while other forms include human porterage and animal porterage.
Human Porterage: This the carriage of goods. by man at the same time as he transports himself by walking. This is commonly done over short distances where loads can be carried on the head through foot paths.
Animal Porterage: The use of animals, like donkeys, horses, cows, etc, to transport people and goods from one location to another is known as animal porterage. This is a common practice in northern part of Nigeria and in agriculture.
Road Transportation in Nigeria:
Road transport involves the transportation of goods or people by road using motor vehicles or other means such as bicycle, motorcycle, etc.
In Lagos, road development started in Nigeria with the construction of the Ibadan-Oyo Road. Thereafter, main roads were developed to open up the interior parts of the country so that agricultural produce and minerals could be evacuated, feed the railways as well carry goods to parts that link up town. It was in the mid-1970s that the federal government started constructing dual-carriageways flyovers and ring roads. With this, traffic decongestion and traveller’s convenience were achieved by making travelling easier, faster and enjoyable.
There is a fast deterioration of Nigerian roads due to a lack of maintenance. The roads have a lot of holes and are impassable during the rainy season. Some of the roads that are in bad shape are in Lagos, Benin, Enugu, and Port-Harcourt carriageways.
It is advisable that the federal government maintain these roads on regular basis in order to enhance the growth of the country’s economy.
Types of Roads in Nigeria:
All the roads in Nigeria are classified into three;
i. Trunk ‘A’ roads are constructed and maintained by the federal government. They are expressways or carriageways.
ii. Trunk ‘B’ roads are constructed and maintained by the state government. They link areas within a state.
iii. Trunk ‘C’ are constructed and maintained by the local government.
Advantages of Road Transport:
Among the advantages of road transportation, when compared with rail transportation, is that
1. It is faster and reaches many corners of the country.
2. It is very convenient in transporting men and materials as well as being very helpful in internal administration compared to other means of transportation.
3. It provides door-to-door services.
4. Goods can be loaded and unloaded easily.
5. Road transport is the only suitable mode of transport for marketing goods in rural places.
Disadvantages of Road Transport:
1. The amount of goods that can be transported are limited.
2. It is not suitable for carrying goods to very long distances, i.e., for foreign destinations.
3. Accidents occur frequently which makes it unsafe and slower.
4. Roads are difficult to construct and maintain.
5. There is exposure to robbery and theft.
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