Hey everyone I am still on Transportation. I would like to move into he next stage of this awesome topic which is Transportation through the ports in Nigeria. Let's advance.
MEANING OF A PORT
PORT: A port is point where ships and other vessels can stop or sail off. It is usually around the meeting point between the land and the ocean or sea water.
TYPES OF PORTS
Two types of ports exist in Nigeria: (1) Seaports and (2) River ports
1. Seaports: These are large ocean terminals with all the essential port facilities to accommodate large ships or cargos. These are usually located along the sea coast and can be reached by big ships.
Examples of Seaports in Nigeria are:
(i) Apapa Port, Lagos;
(ii) Tin-can Island Port, Lagos;
(iii) Port-Harcourt Port, Rivers State.
2. River Ports: These are ports which can only be reached by smaller ships, but cannot be reached by bigger ones.
These ports are usually located on navigable rivers.
Examples of River Ports in Nigeria are:
(i) Warri Port (Delta State) (ii) Sapele Port (Delta State)
(ii) Koko Port (Delta State) (iv) Calabar Port (Cross River State)
(v) Bonny Port (Rivers State) (vi) Onitsha Port (Anambra State)
Hinterland of A Port
Hinterland: The hinterland of a port is the land directly behind a port which supplies it with exports and to which the port supplies imports. It is linked to ports by roads, railways and rivers or by air transport.
Examples of Hinterland Ports in Nigeria are:
(i) Nigeria is a hinterland to Apapa Port;
(ii) Niger Republic (a land-locked country) is a hinterland to Apapa Port in Lagos, Nigeria.
IMPORTANCE OF A PORT
1. Import of Raw Materials for Industries: Raw materials are imported for industries through ports, e.g. iron ore from Liberia to Iron and Steel Industrial Complex in Ajaokuta.
2. Fishing: The development of ports further promotes intensive fishing around the port.
3. Import of Goods: Goods purchased from other countries are also brought into the country through the seaports, thereby, promoting international trade.
4. Export of Goods: Goods produced in Nigeria are exported to other countries through the seaports.
5. Revenue to Government: Tariffs and demurrage from imported goods are source of revenue to the government.
6. Employment: Ports provide jobs for many people through various activities within the ports, e.g. clearing agents, importers and exporters.
7. Tourism: Seaports are also centres of tourist attraction.
FACTORS WHICH AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF PORTS IN NIGERIA
1. Availability of capital for construction of artificial harbour, e.g. Lagos and Port-Harcourt ports.
2. Presence of lagoon and inlets along the coast.
3. Presence of deep and large rivers.
4. The need to engage in foreign trade activities.
5. Availability of resources in the hinterland e.g. cocoa, petroleum, groundnuts, etc.
6. Availability of other occupation, e.g. fishing.
7. Good transport network such as roads, railways, etc.
PROBLEMS OR LIMITATIONS OF PORT DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR SOLUTIONS
PROBLEMS OR LIMITATIONS OF PORT DEVELOPMENT
1. Inadequate skilled labour to occupy the specific positions effectively.
2. Problems caused by water weeds such as water hyacinths.
3. Presence of sand bars and sand spits that block the streams or rivers.
4. Inadequate port facilities.
5. Problems of natural harbours.
6. Problems caused by smugglers.
7. Lack of natural harbours.
SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS
1. People should be trained on port management.
2. Permanent solution should be made to check the growth of water hyacinths and its attendant problems.
3. Modern port facilities should be provided.
4. The seaports should be dredged regularly.
5. Security personnel should be trained and equipped to check the activities of smugglers.
6. Goods imported or exported should be attended to with the necessary urgency it deserves.
ROLES OF TRANSPORTATION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ANY COUNTRY
The roles of transportation (road, railway, water and air) in economic development of any nation include:
1. Movement of Goods and Services: With transportation, the movement of goods and services form point of origin to their destination point is ensured in urban and industrial areas. For example, air transport moves mails, perishable goods, highly valued goods, military equipment and so on.
2. Movement of People: Transportation equally ensures the movement of people (passengers) from one part of a country to another, either for work or for other purposes.
3. Employment: All means of transportation employ lots of people, thereby, enabling them to earn a living.
4. Generation of Revenue: All means of transportation obtain license from government and pay taxes which enable a country to get revenue.
5. National and International Trade: Transportation enhances trade between two countries and also between different regions in a country. For example, through water transport, Nigeria is able to transport her petroleum to USA and Britain and get cars and machinery from these countries.
6. Increased Production: Transportation enables people to increase their production either in agricultural, mineral and industrial goods.
7. Diffusion of Ideas and Technology: Through transportation, new ideas and technology are transferred from one country to another.
8. Linkages Between Areas of Production with Areas of Consumption: Through transportation, the areas of production is easily linked areas of consumption of the goods.
9. National Integration: Through different means of transportation, different regions in a country are brought in constant touch with one another. This enhances national integration and interaction between different people in a country.
10. Opening Up New Lands and Areas: Through various means of transportation, new areas are opened up; and even some inaccessible places are brought to limelight for proper recognition and development.
11. Access to Natural Resources: Through transportation, different natural resources are discovered and exploited in a country.
12. Development of Tourism: People from different parts of the world visit tourist centres through different means of transportation.
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