INVESTIGATION OF BAD ROAD AND ITS EFFECT TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT : A CASE STUDY OF IMO STATE

INVESTIGATION OF BAD ROAD AND ITS EFFECT TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT : A CASE STUDY OF IMO STATE

Background of the study

The capacity of a nation to make productive and efficient use of the resources it possesses is a critical factor in determining the level of economic growth that may be achieved by that nation's economy. As observed by Achy & Sekkat (2016),  the availability of various modes of transportation is one of the key factors that makes it possible for the appropriate usage of economic resources in a political system. The act of moving people, products, and other commodities from one area to another is referred to as transportation. This is accomplished through a multitude of methods, including by way of roadways, trains, aeroplane, and pipelines. However, each mode of transportation faces its own set of difficulties in terms of the underlying infrastructure (Allahabad (2016).

Corollary, inadequate transportation limits a nation's ability to utilize  its natural resources, distributes foods and other finished goods; integrates the manufacturing and agriculture sectors; and supplies education, medical, and other infrastructural facilities. According to Jonathan (2018), transportation is an industry that creates wealth on its own. Therefore, it is necessary to both maintain and improve the current transportation systems as well as construct new infrastructures in order to increase the country's prosperity. The gross domestic product (GDP), which is an indicator or measure of the pace of economic growth, constitutes the nation's wealth. Transportation infrastructure is essential to the maintenance of economic growth because people want to improve their standard of living and they view increased income as the way to achieve that goal. Improvements to transportation systems, in turn, are a means of maintaining or improving economic opportunities, quality of life, and ultimately income for people in a particular region. Lucas (1998).In addition to this, transportation plays a more expansive part in determining the course of development and the environment. Policy concerns in the next millennium will increasingly focus on the effects of transportation on where people live and on where businesses locate; and on the effects that these location decisions have on land use patterns, congestion of urban transportation systems, use of natural resources, air and water quality, and the overall quality of life. Already having made their way to the forefront of policy debates at both the national and municipal levels, issues such as urban sprawl, the preservation of agriculture, and the quality of air and water have been brought into question.  In order for policymakers in Nigeria to make decisions that are in the public interest, they need to have access to the most accurate information and analysis on the myriad of ways in which these different elements interact with one another. Importantly, transportation becomes the back bone of any economy, especially in countries like Nigeria. As such, an anatomy of aspects relating to inefficiencies and a lack of a good transportation network in Nigeria coupled with a low rate of economic growth (GDP) is essential. Attached to this is the poor government policy on transportation (Lack of regulation of fees charged by private transporters, inadequate fuel).

Road travel is one of the most frequent and widely utilized modes of transportation that people make use of on a regular basis. The availability of decent roads is one of the factors that contributes to the simplicity and efficacy of transportation by road. Achy et’al  (2016) opined that the establishment of a reliable road network is often regarded as an essential precondition for the social and economic growth of any nation. This is especially true in Nigeria, where driving is the most common means of transportation overall and road travel is the most common. Because the relevance of the road network is not limited by national lines, increasing the size of the road network and improving its quality are both essential to improving the economy's overall performance. As a result, poor road infrastructure is a barrier to the inflow of foreign investments into nations that are dependent on such investments for the improvement of their economic performance and level of competitiveness.

Researchers have shown in the past that road transportation is a vital economic development facilitator and also serves as the cornerstone of monetary development activities for nations. This has been shown via their study. In many different types of literature, experts have argued that there is a relationship between well-maintained roadways and the general public's political, social, and economic turn of events. To put it all the more plainly, speculations on road infrastructure construct substantial political, monetary, and social cycles, which increase the riches and influence of a nation, amplify markets, and lessen exchange hindrances. These cycles enlarge a nation's wealth and influence. Because of this, there are increases in productivity yields as well as improvements in the adaptability and quality of life for the general population.

The extent to which a country's road transport infrastructure meets its needs is a major factor in determining whether or not it will be successful in diversifying its output, developing its commerce, coping with rising levels of population and poverty, and improving environmental conditions. The costs of production are reduced and productivity is increased when there is a strong road transport infrastructure, particularly in the agricultural sector of the economy. In Nigeria, the link between where the major production activities take place and where it is needed for final consumption requires good road transportation that will bridge the gap. Despite the fact that the precise linkages between infrastructure and development are still up for debate, Nigeria's road transportation needs to be improved. On the other hand, the World Development Report from 1994 said that the capacity of infrastructure gradually increases in tandem with the expansion of the economy.

The provision of reliable road infrastructure services assists low-income individuals in contributing to the sustainability of the environment. Everyone, regardless of their financial level, can help the environment by ensuring that their cities have access to clean water and sanitation, non-polluting sources of power, safe disposal of solid waste, and improved traffic management in metropolitan areas.

An integrated approach to urban planning and transportation policy has the potential to result in a more effective use of both land and transport capacity, which would be beneficial for the environment. The overall pollutant loads can be reduced, on average, if there is an increase in the capacity of the transportation system. The speed of the vehicles increases, while the distances travelled decrease. In addition to reducing emissions, increasing vehicle use is another benefit of improving roads. Therefore, increases in the capacity of the existing infrastructure are just a portion of the answer. It is also essential to have better management of traffic and land use, as well as to promote non-motorized modes of transportation, cleaner fuels, and public transportation. According to Pisarski (2013), transportation is crucial to the expansion of human settlements and the growth of economies.

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