(a) On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name (i) two international airports (ii) two domestic airports (iii) two seaports (iv) two river ports (b) High...

Answer Details

(a) Outline map of Nigeria: transport features

• (i) Two international airports: Murtala Muhammed (Lagos) in the south-west and Nnamdi Azikiwe (Abuja) in the centre. (Others: Port Harcourt, Kano.)
• (ii) Two domestic airports: Ibadan in the south-west and Ilorin in the middle belt. (Others: Maiduguri, Yola, Benin.)
• (iii) Two seaports: Lagos (Apapa/Tin Can) in the south-west and Port Harcourt in the south-south. (Others: Warri, Calabar.)
• (iv) Two river ports: Onitsha on the River Niger and Lokoja at the Niger-Benue confluence. (Others: Baro, Yola on the Benue.)

Mark each with a small symbol (aircraft for airports, anchor for ports) in its correct position and label it.

(b) Four problems facing river transportation in Nigeria

• Seasonal variation in water level: Rivers are shallow in the dry season, so large boats cannot navigate for part of the year.
• Silting and sand bars: Deposition of silt and sand blocks channels and reduces depth, making navigation difficult.
• Rapids, waterfalls and rocky obstacles: Sudden falls and rocks interrupt the courses of many rivers, so goods must be off-loaded and moved by land.
• Floating vegetation and few modern facilities: Water hyacinth and weeds clog channels, while poor port facilities, dredging and jetties limit efficiency.

(c) How the problems are being solved

• Dredging: Rivers such as the Lower Niger are dredged to deepen channels and remove silt and sand bars for year-round use.
• Construction of dams: Dams (e.g. Kainji) regulate the flow so that a steady depth of water is maintained downstream.
• Clearing of vegetation and obstacles: Water hyacinth and rocks are removed and channels are marked to guide craft.
• Provision of modern port facilities: Building and equipping river ports (Onitsha, Lokoja, Baro) with jetties and cargo-handling equipment improves the service.