Nigeria’s Road Future Lies In Private Hands – CIOTA Declares

The President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), Dr. Segun Ochuko Obayendo, has called for the privatisation of Nigerian road construction as a strategic solution to ensure proper maintenance and the development of new road networks across the country.

Speaking to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, ahead of the North Central Zonal Transport Conference themed “Transforming Transport Infrastructure for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, Dr. Obayendo stressed the urgent need for private sector participation to revive Nigeria’s ailing road infrastructure.

According to Ireporter Online, the CIOTA President lamented the poor state of the nation’s roads, noting that while the government is making efforts, annual budget allocations remain inadequate to address the scale of repairs and new constructions required.

He applauded the concessioning of 12 highways to private operators, citing the Abuja–Makurdi route as an example of how privatisation can deliver well-maintained roads free of potholes.

However, Dr. Obayendo expressed concern over the prolonged and seemingly unending construction on the Abuja–Lokoja highway, attributing the delays to multiple factors, including contractors starting new phases before completing existing ones.

According to Ireporter Online, he urged the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO) to step in, particularly to address the issue of overloaded trucks, which he identified as a major contributor to road damage.

He emphasised that overloading, rather than the quality of construction materials, is largely responsible for early road deterioration. “When a road is abused, no matter how well it is built, it will fail over time,” he said, explaining that excessive loads—whether in fuel tankers or cement trucks—significantly reduce a road’s lifespan.

On road safety, Dr. Obayendo decried the lack of proper training and certification for many drivers in the country, warning that this is a major cause of accidents.

According to Ireporter Online, he proposed that all intending drivers undergo rigorous theoretical and practical testing before being issued licenses, adding that such reforms would drastically reduce accidents and improve safety standards.

He revealed that the forthcoming North Central Zonal Transport Conference, hosted in collaboration with the Plateau State Government, will bring together government officials, private sector stakeholders, development partners, academics, and innovators to address critical questions about the future of Nigeria’s transport system.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”