Assessment of road transport infrastructure in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The growth and progress of a society is determined and measured to a large extent by the socio-economic development of the city. This is largely dependent on the transportation system of the area. Transportation promotes development in any area and when transportation is hindered, development is also retarded. In Nigeria, and Osogbo, Osun State Capital in particular, the only available mode of transportation is road transport. It provides the linkages between spatially separated facilities, enable social contact, and access to employments. Road infrastructure is a critical ingredient of economic development in the study area. The demands for road transport infrastructure in Nigeria over the years have increased tremendously, while the supplies of road transport services have declined grossly. There is a miss-merge between the demand and supply of road infrastructure in the study area. The study therefore, assessed the availability and adequacy of road transport infrastructure in Osogbo. The study was carried out through personal observation and direct measurement of the available road infrastructure in the study area. The study surveyed 101 kilometres of roads, of which about 77% of the roads are characterized with potholes and about 88% of the roads are without walkways which does not make it safe for pedestrians and about 92% of the roads are without road signs. The study is concluded by suggesting the need for government and public participation in the provision and maintenance of road transport infrastructure in the study area to enhance effective and efficient movement of goods, services and people in the study area.