Large proportion of Nigerian roads in poor condition —FG

THE Federal Government has said that a large proportion of the 60,000 kilometres of paved Nigerian roads are in very poor condition as a result of long years of neglect.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who said this at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council night of appreciation for stakeholders, held in Lagos, noted that the current administration was working hard to remedy the situation.

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He said: “Nigeria has about 195,000 kilometres of road network out of which about 32,000 kilometres were federal roads and 31,000 kilometres were state roads.  Out of this, only about 60,000 kilometres were  paved.

“Of the paved roads, a large proportion is in very poor condition due to insufficient and differed investments and lack of adequate maintenance.  The government is working hard to reduce this backlog,” he said.

He noted that the current government recognised that transport industry was, no doubt, very crucial to the growth and survival of any economy and could rightly be described as the life line of growth and development.

Mustapha said no country could become economically buoyant without good transportation infrastructure, especially a good inter modal transportation network.

He lamented that the Nigerian railway network of about 3,500 kilometres of narrow gauge linking the north and the south, has largely remained unmaintained and out-modeled, saying that this administration, however, ensured the completion of and use of the Kaduna to Abuja standard gauge railway as you all are aware.

He said the Nigerian ports were now performing better, due to the concession that led to the transfer of 26 ports terminal operations and investment obligations to the private sector between 2004 to 2006.

He added that the reform of the port sub-sector was aimed at reducing congestion surcharges, reduction in ship dwell time and improved productivity.

“Some of these have been achieved, but sadly, access to ports still remains a huge challenge which we are seriously seeking ways to deal with between the federal, state and relevant local governments and stakeholders, through public private partnerships. Hopefully, there should be respite sometime soon.

“For Nigeria’s economy to be propelled at the desired speed, there is the need to establish or delineate a body, to regulate the sector and provide technical oversight for the provision of transport services, monitor compliance of government agencies and service providers, with relevant legislation for efficient operations through consolidation, removal of duplicity and regulatory functions of public agencies,” he said.