(a) State five reasons why road transport would be preferred to rail transport (b) Give five functions of the Nigerian Airport Authority.

Answer Details

(a) Five reasons why road transport would be preferred to rail transport

1. Door-to-door service: Road vehicles can move goods directly from the seller's premises to the buyer's premises without transhipment, whereas rail is confined to fixed stations and lines.
2. Flexibility of routes: Roads reach nearly every town, village and market, so vehicles can be re-routed easily, while trains can only travel where rails are laid.
3. Lower capital outlay: Buying and operating a lorry is far cheaper than constructing railway tracks, locomotives and terminals, making road transport accessible to small traders.
4. Suitability for short distances and small loads: Road transport is economical for carrying small quantities over short distances, where running a whole train would be wasteful.
5. Speed and frequency for perishables: A trader can dispatch a vehicle at any time without waiting for a scheduled train, allowing quicker delivery of perishable and urgent goods.

Other acceptable points: easier loading and unloading, availability of vehicles for hire, and prompt personal supervision of goods in transit.

(b) Five functions of the Nigerian Airports Authority (now FAAN)

1. Development and maintenance of airports: It builds, equips and maintains airport buildings, runways, terminals and other facilities.
2. Provision of navigational and landing aids: It supplies control towers, lighting and communication equipment to guide aircraft in landing and take-off.
3. Ensuring safety and security: It provides security, fire-fighting and rescue services within the airports to protect passengers, aircraft and cargo.
4. Passenger and cargo handling facilities: It provides lounges, baggage-handling systems and cargo sheds for the smooth movement of passengers and goods.
5. Regulation and collection of charges: It regulates the use of airports and collects landing, parking and other charges from airlines as revenue.

Other acceptable points: providing weather (meteorological) information and coordinating ground services for airlines.