ASSESSMENT OF ROAD HAZARDS AND CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF MINNA-ABUJA ROAD)

ASSESSMENT OF ROAD HAZARDS AND CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF MINNA-ABUJA ROAD)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the evaluation of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria (a case study of Minna-Abuja road). Specifically, the study determines whether there are road hazards in Nigeria, determines the extent of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria, determines whether these hazards affects the safety and security of travelers along Minna-Abuja road, determines whether government is making any effort on reducing road hazards and challenges along Minna-Abuja road and proffers possible measures to reduce the level of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria. The survey descriptive research design was used in the study. The survey yielded a total of 30 valid responses. The cognitive theory was used in the study. The findings revealed that there are road hazards in Nigeria based on the responses obtained and analyzed. Furthermore, According to the findings, the extent of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria is very high. The findings also revealed that these hazards have an impact on the safety and security of travelers on the Minna-Abuja road. According to the study, the government should encourage international intervention in road safety for long-term national development. The study also suggests that standard road infrastructure and road signs be installed to improve road safety in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Roads can be found in every society, but the level of safety varies from one to the next. Road development adds value and accelerates growth; the potential importance of road development for investment, trade, growth, and poverty alleviation cannot be overstated (Ighodaro, 2008). Roads facilitate the provision of services as well as the quick delivery of goods to consumers; however, roads can be a death trap and slow down the process of delivery of goods and provision of services when safety is neglected. According to Sumaila (2013), Nigeria has a total road length of approximately 194,000 kilometers, which includes 34,120 kilometers of federal roads, 30,500 kilometers of state roads, and 129,580 kilometers of local roads. The road system is divided into four major categories:

The federal government owns, develops, and maintains the Federal Trunk ‘A’ Roads. The Federal Trunk ‘F’ Roads were purchased from state governments with the intention of upgrading them to federal status. The Trunk ‘B’ Roads and Trunk ‘C’ Roads owned and managed by states and the local government respectively. Road safety is the responsibility of the federal, state, and local governments.

In 2011, Nigeria was ranked as the African country with the second largest road network. Its population density varies between rural and urban areas (approximately 51.7% and 48.3%, respectively), resulting in a population-road ratio of 860 people per square kilometer, indicating heavy traffic pressure on the available road network. This stress contributes to heavy traffic on the roads.

occurrences in the country (FRSC, 2012).

The Nigerian road traffic situation has reached such alarming proportions that people are frustrated and near helpless. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria continues to be one of the countries with the worst road accident records. The country’s 149th ranking out of 178 member states in 2009 demonstrates the dangers of road transportation in a country that is heavily reliant on its road network for economic, social, and physical activities.

Asian countries with dense populations, such as China, India, and Indonesia, have fatality indices that are up to 50% lower than Nigeria’s. Western countries, on the other hand, are rated even higher, with an average of less than 10 deaths per 100,000 people.

The United Kingdom has one of the lowest rates, with only 5.4 deaths per 100,000 people (FRSC, 2012).

Indeed, news of road traffic accidents in Nigeria is no longer surprising. The magnitude of the fatality, on the other hand, may be shocking. Daily, Nigerian newspapers report on traffic accidents that are only significant in terms of severity. The papers sometimes sum up the number of claimed lives as if they were providing an expense account. “Over 100 lives lost to fatal accidents in the Nyanya area in the last year,” for example. Such news indicates that we are constantly involved in accidents. According to Sumaila (2001), road traffic accidents have claimed more lives than all communicable disease deaths combined, including the dreaded Acquired

Syndrome of Immunodeficiency (AIDS).

As a result, the Nigerian government and people are deeply concerned about the country’s continuing high rate of road accidents and the unnecessary loss of lives and property. Worryingly, despite various corrective measures implemented in recent years to combat the problem, road traffic crashes and mortality rates remain high. This clearly indicates that we have yet to get it right.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

The challenge of road safety in Nigeria and other parts of the world is massive. Global status report on road safety 2013 of the World Health Organization reports that about 1.24 million people die annually on the world’s roads, with 20–50 million sustaining non-fatal injuries. The Institute of Technology The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimated approximately 907 900, 1.3 million, and 1.4 million deaths from traffic accidents in 1990, 2010, and 2013, respectively (GBD, 2013). According to the WHO African Region status report on road safety (2009), Nigeria has the world’s second highest rate of road accidents among 193 ranked countries. Roads have devolved into killing fields with no protection for their users. According to Sheriff (2009) and Eze (2012), Nigeria has one of the highest rates of road accidents and deaths per 10,000 vehicles. Similarly, Balogun (2006) asserted that road traffic fatalities and injuries in Nigeria are among the highest in the world. Travelers in Nigeria usually sigh with relief.

When they arrive at their destinations safely and give testimony in church.

Because it is the main road connecting Minna to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, the poor condition of the Minna-Abuja road has become a major concern for daily users and the government at large. People who use the road will attest that it has devolved into a dangerous zone, exposing its users to accident and security risks that endanger lives and property. Many individual car owners prefer to use public transportation instead of their personal cars to ply the road for fear of incurring damages on the cars, causing them to spend more money on repairs, making it more economical.

1.3 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this research is to assess road hazards and challenges in Nigeria (a case study of Minna-Abuja road). Other specific goals of this research include:

i. Determine whether or not there are any road hazards in Nigeria.

ii. To assess the scope of Nigeria’s road hazards and challenges.

iii. To ascertain whether these hazards have an impact on the safety and security of travelers on the Minna-Abuja road.

iv. Determine whether the government is attempting to reduce road hazards and challenges along the Minna-Abuja road.

v. To propose potential solutions to reduce the number of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

This study will address the following research questions:

Is there any traffic in Nigeria?

ii. How severe are Nigeria’s road hazards and challenges?

iii. Do these hazards have an impact on the safety and security of travelers on the Minna-Abuja road?

iv. Is the government attempting to reduce road hazards and challenges along the Minna-Abuja road?

v. What are the potential solutions for reducing road hazards and challenges in Nigeria?

1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE

This study will be beneficial to the society as the findings of this study will reveal the impact of road hazards in Nigeria.

Scholars will benefit from this study as well, as it will serve as a reference for future studies and reference.

1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES

This research evaluates road hazards and challenges in Nigeria (a).

Case study of the Minna-Abuja highway). This study focuses specifically on determining whether there are road hazards in Nigeria, determining the extent of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria, determining whether these hazards affect the safety and security of travelers along the Minna-Abuja road, determining whether the government is making any efforts to reduce road hazards and challenges along the Minna-Abuja road, and proposing potential measures to reduce the level of road hazards and challenges in Nigeria.

1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS

Financial constraint- Inadequate funding tends to impede the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. This

As a result, the time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 TERM DEFINITION

Road hazards include, but are not limited to, potholes, rocks, wood debris, metal parts, glass, plastic, curbs, or composite scraps encountered while driving a motor vehicle.