Dearth of ‘A’ rated roads as bane of nation’s economic growth

To this end, observers of the nation’s economic growth say if there is any unanswered question, then it is the nagging response over what really is the cost of problem of delivering first class road infrastructure in one of Africa’s largest economies. Is it lack of funds, planning or corruption?, experts query.

Many of those in the know, meanwhile say they have observed that because most federal roads are bad, traders plying on these commercially viable roads encounter high cost in conveying their goods to their final destination; of which multiplier effect results to final consumers buying goods at a relatively high cost.

Diezani Allison-Madueke though last week, admitted that federal funding is not infinite, but must rather partner with the private sector to deliver first class road infrastructure. She said the problem of delivering first class road infrastructure involves a bit of these three factors (lack of fund, planning, or corruption).

According to her, if there was proper planning in the last few years, "we should not be in the state of indebtedness at this point in time.

"The number of road projects that had been given out makes Nigeria indebted to the tune of over N980billion."

There is though, no denying the fact that roads are the most important means of transportation in Nigeria, carrying more than four-fifths of all passenger and freight traffic.

One time minister of works, Adeseye Ogunlewe meanwhile last week disclosed that a total of N127.09billion was released to the ministry during his tenure (2003-2005).

Ogunlewe told senate committee on contracts probe that none of the contracts awarded during his tenure was abandoned because of the strict compliance to all contract award processes.

The million dollar unanswered question now remains why, how and who is responsible for these bad roads in spite of the huge spendings?....Planning? Have the monies not been released for contractors to execute or complete these projects?....corruption? or is it that there is no fund for Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies to deliver first class roads networks?

Most Nigerian roads, an observer simply jeered, "lead to nowhere." "Take for instance, a journey from Lagos to Onitsha that should be completed in hours, now last days, as it takes travellers to parts they never knew existed, as they try to avoid highways that had gone into such disrepair that it is unbelievable they were once federal roads.

Going back to what Ogunlewe told the senate committee, he revealed that during his tenure at the Federal Ministry of Works, no project was abandoned, overpriced, badly executed, awarded or paid for without obtaining due process certificate and approval of the federal executive council.

While proffering solution to road rehabilitation problems in the country, Ogunlewe advocated that the best option would be to engage the private sector, suggesting that government would not achieve any success if it continually depends on civil servants to improve for infrastructural development.

Taking a cue from developed economies like the United States, those in the knowing say public private partnership is what drives economic development. They specifically asserted that, the United States for instance realised this long ago. Its 70,000-km Interstate Highway System, which transport expert Wendell Cox in 1996, described as ‘an engine’ that has driven 40 years of unprecedented prosperity and positioned the United States to remain the world’s pre-eminent power into the 21st Century, cost $129 billion in 1966.

Further explaining the hardship encountered, a transporter told Africa Renewal of their experience on trips to the West African coast. According to him, "By road, our drivers can be stopped five times in Ghana, six times in Togo, six times in Benin Republic and easily Twenty times within Nigeria alone."

To add more, Tony Anenih, former works minister noted that between May 1999 and October 2002, the ministry awarded contracts to the tune of N352.08billion that were to last years to complete, including designs, way bridges, consultancy, etc based on approvals.

Anenih said: "The fact is that only the sum of N120.7 billion, representing about 34.28percent was spent on roads during my tenure. There should be emphasis on the maintenance of roads to ensure adequate funding, private sector participation and institutional reforms in the roads sector. Government must ensure that projects are well funded within the project duration and all condition of contracts, including specified durations for payment are strictly adhered to."

Without doubts, Nigeria’s search for economic growth is impossible without viable road networks with good links to other African countries.