(a) Explain any five physical factors that hinder the development of railway transportation in Nigeria. (b) Highlight any five ways transportation contribut...

Answer Details

(a) Five physical factors that hinder the development of railway transportation in Nigeria

1. Rivers and swamps: the many rivers (Niger, Benue) and the Niger Delta swamps require expensive bridges and embankments, raising construction costs.
2. Highlands and rugged relief: the Jos Plateau, the Western and Eastern uplands and inselbergs force costly cuttings, tunnels and detours.
3. Dense tropical forest in the south, which is difficult and expensive to clear for the line.
4. Heavy rainfall and flooding in the wet south, which erodes embankments, washes out tracks and disrupts services.
5. Loose and shifting sands and drought in the far north, together with laterite/hard rock in places, which make track-laying and maintenance difficult.

(b) Five ways transportation contributes to the economic development of Nigeria

• Movement of raw materials and finished goods between farms, mines, factories, markets and ports, promoting industry and trade.
• Opening up of the interior: roads, rail and waterways make remote farming and mining areas accessible for production and settlement.
• Encouragement of agriculture: farmers move perishable produce quickly to urban markets, raising incomes.
• Employment and revenue: the transport sector provides many jobs and generates government revenue.
• National integration and growth of towns: transport links different parts of the country, promotes tourism and helps towns grow at junctions and ports.