(a) Discuss the problems of transportation on the (i) Niger-Benue waterway (ii) Lagos-Kano railway line (b) Suggest possible solutions to these problems

Answer Details

(a) Problems of transportation

(i) The Niger-Benue waterway

• Seasonal fluctuation in water level: the rivers are shallow and non-navigable to large craft in the dry season, restricting use to a few months.
• Sand bars, shoals and rapids: obstacles such as rapids near Jebba and shifting sandbanks interrupt continuous navigation.
• Silting and sediment: heavy deposition reduces depth and needs constant dredging.
• Floating vegetation: water hyacinth and other weeds clog channels.
• Delta problem: a maze of distributaries and a shifting mouth make the lower course difficult to keep open.
• Poor port and handling facilities at river ports, and limited modern craft.

(ii) The Lagos-Kano railway line

• Narrow (single, narrow-gauge) track: a single line causes delays as trains must wait to pass, and the narrow gauge limits speed and load.
• Old and worn equipment: ageing locomotives, wagons and track lead to frequent breakdowns and derailments.
• Slow and infrequent service makes it uncompetitive with road transport.
• Difficult terrain: crossing rivers, the plateau and valleys required costly bridges and gradients that slow trains.
• Poor maintenance and inadequate funding of track and rolling stock.
• Vandalism and theft of rails and fittings, and inadequate feeder links to farms and towns.

(b) Possible solutions

• Regular dredging of the Niger-Benue and clearing of rapids, sandbars and floating weeds to keep channels open all year.
• Construction of dams and barrages to regulate flow and raise dry-season water levels.
• Improve river ports with modern loading, storage and navigational aids (buoys, beacons).
• Modernise the railway: re-lay to standard gauge, double the track on busy sections and replace worn track.
• Buy new locomotives and wagons and set up proper maintenance workshops.
• Provide adequate funding, tighten security against vandalism, and build feeder roads and links to widen the traffic served.