Overview of transportation in Nigeria
Transportation is the basis for economic, social and political development in most societies as it exhibits a close relationship to the style and quality of living of the society. Transportation plays an important role in the day-to -day activities of the society. Some of the roles it plays in our societies are the subject of this paper. This paper therefore attempts to illustrate the roles and impacts of transportation in Nigerian society by considering such roles as social, economic political and environmental. Each of the roles is discussed in some detail and at the end of the day transportation is seen in its two conflicting sides positive side and negative side.
It is a well known fact that transportation is the pivot around which the wheel of every modern economy revolves. The efficiency with which people, goods and services can move from one point to the other largely determines the quality of life of the society. The attendant chaotic traffic that greeted the repair of the third mainland bridge has, therefore, made it imperative the need for a developed, functional and effective intermodal transportation system in Nigeria. Intermodal transportation system pertains to the availability of more than one form of transportation such as road, rail, air and water on a single journey.
Intermodal transportation is the movements of passengers or freight from one mode of transport to another, commonly taking place at a terminal specifically designed for such purpose. For instance, a good model of intermodal transportation should allow a commuter from Port Harcourt in Rivers state to Ile-Ife in Osun State to connect Lagos by water, and then connect Ibadan from Lagos by rail before making the final lap of the journey from Ibadan to Ile-Ife by road. It is obvious that this type of conveyance will definitely reduce travel time and cost.
Our over reliance