By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Professor Musilimu Adeyinka Adetunji, a professor of Transport Geography, has called for review of Nigeria Transport Policy to encourage people to commute via non-automobile modes of transport for environmental and human safety.
Prof. Adetunji made the call in his Inaugural Lecture, titled: “Unplanned Cities: The Dilemma of Transport Planning and Development in Nigeria”, the 30th in the Inaugural Lecture series of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL).
The Professor of Transport, relying on statistics from his studies on road traffic crashes globally and across the state between 2006 and 2024 said the crashes had claimed a lot of lives and resources with an approximate global deaths of 1.19 million in 2023 alone.
He lamented the frequency in Nigeria and Kogi State, in particular, saying, “The people are exhausted and overwhelmed by the frequency of reciting Surah Kulialau from the Quran after losing their relatives as a result of motor accidents.
“Enough is enough. We cannot continue to read from the Book of Lamentations over the recurring tragedy of road traffic crashes in Kogi State and Nigeria in general. At this time, there is the need to take appropriate steps to reduce the carnage on our roads”, he said.
He said that adoption of non-automobiles modes of transport would reduce the carnage, pollution and promote health as automobiles use fossil fuels that produce hydrocarbons and substances that are harmful to the environment and human health.
Faulting the haphazard planning of cities and the culminating transport challenges, Prof. Adetunji also called for redesigning of Master Plans of most urban centres in Nigeria with adoption of Smart City Model.
He emphasized the need to construct and rehabilitate the existing roads with the provision of some basic transport facilities such as pedestrian walkways, Zebra crossing and street lights to accommodate modern vehicular traffic.
“It is necessary to encourage the design and construction of bicycle paths that will run alongside the main roads. This will reduce the pressure on public transport and personal vehicles”, the Don stressed.
Prof. Adetunji said studies have revealed that to reduce traffic congestion, mass transit and light rail should be introduced in Nigerian cities and other African countries to reduce the volume of vehicular movement on roads.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, said the Inaugural Lectures not only present a platform for the Professors to share their research and intellectual journeys but also provide opportunities for the academia to reflect on pressing national and global issues.
Prof. Akinwumi said the topic of the Inaugural Lecture was very timely and topical considering the rapid pace of urbanization and the many challenges associated with city growth and mobility in the country.
