Rail Transport

The goal envisage for the rail system is an expanded rail network system linking major activity centres such as ports, raw materials centers, major cities, etc. A PDP government will strive to make the rail system the prime mover of goods and people due to its advantages over other modes of transportation.

The linking of the rail network system to the Trans-African rail network system and its full integration into the national transport system is the long termobjective.

The Obasanjo administration has embarked on an ambitious rehabilitation and modernization of the Railways which key elements include:

Federal government investment of $8.3 billion for the construction of standard gauge rail line between Lagos and Kano

• Second phase will consist of Port Harcourt to Jos
• National coverage of standard gauge by 2011

A PDP government will ensure speedy implementation of the national railway system to facilitate commerce and socio economic development.

To Get There: PDP will

• Rehabilitate, refurbish and modernize equipment and facilities;
• Modernize and convert obsolete gauge to standard and double gauge;
• Privatize or concession the Nigerian Railway Corporation to private operators;
• Extend the rail network to link all state capitals to the FCT; and;
• Encourage private sector participation in rail system operations and development by adoption of modem funding and management measures.
• By the end of 2011 the Railway system will be revamped nationally to achieve national economic integration.

Road Transportation

The objective in road transport is to make a large part of the country including rural areas, accessible by road, all year round.

A network of roads that is capable of promoting inter-state travels with ease and comfort is the goal for a PDP federal government while PDP state and local governments are to construct more rural feeder roads and stock routes.

Irreducible Minimum Objectives for States & LGA

• Train vehicle inspection officers to enhance regulatory function
• Provide commercial garages in all LGAs
• Promote non-motorized transport modes in rural areas
• Construct and maintain feeder roads in each LGA
• Maintain all modes of transportation within the state and the local government

To Get There: PDP will

Complete all ongoing road projects;

Establish and strengthen road maintenance agencies that use locally available inputs including asphalt and labour to keep roads in motorable state; and

Partner with private sector operators/investors.

Ensure that roads are constructed with a view to the tonnage of vehicles that may ply such highways.

Improve Road safety through sustained implementation of existing laws.

Empower the federal road safety corps to regulate interstate travels.

Assist the State and Local Government in the construction of new feeder roads and stock routes for easy access.

Water Transport

The objective of a PDP government in water transportation is to enhance the
use of water as a major means of transportation at the various levels. Towards
this end, the major rivers would be made navigable all year round while the
development of other inland waterways to increase overall water carrying
capacity is envisaged. In the area of seaports, the PDP government’s target is
to make Nigeria the centre of activities in the West African sub-region. There
should be 24 hours port operation, including night sailing. APDP government
consolidating the gains of the past seven years will see to
- Improved through put at all our ports linking of the ports to the Railways
- Improved turnaround time for containers
- Ensuring Nigeria’s presence in the (1MO) International Maritime
Organisation white list
- Increased number of seafarers
- Increase implementation of cabotage regunie to enhance indigenous
vessel acquisition.
To get there: PDP will
- Encourage private sector involvement in the development of water
transportation at all levels, including dredging inland waterways and
seaports;
- Streamline marine transport agencies through mergers and alignment of
functions;
- Institutionalize, strengthen and restructure the Nigeria Ports Authority in its
new role as a regulator;
- Continue port reforms including further simplification of procedures and
continued reorientation;
- Deepen the current reforms and concessioning through provision of more
deep sea capacity ports to enhance regional prospects;