VIJ Digital library
Articles

Sustainability of Nigeria’s Rail Transport System: An Economic Perspective

O. O. Soretire
Doctoral candidate, Department of Transport Management, Redeemer’s University,
O. B Osinubi
Doctoral candidate, Department of Transport Management, Redeemer’s University, Nigeria
A.J. OJO
Doctoral candidate, Department of Transport Management, Redeemer’s University
A. P. Ajayi
Department of Transport Management, Redeemer’s University
A. Oluwakoya
Department of Transport Management, Redeemer’s University,

Submission to VIJ 2024-04-23

Keywords

  • Railway, Transport, Sustainability, Economic Development

Abstract

The availability of an efficient transport system is germane in achieving trade promotion, social integration, business connectivity and economic development because transport plays relevant role in the growth of nation’s market. Some scholars have given undeniable linkages to the role of rail transport in economic development while there are deferring summations by some scholars hence this study explored the economic sustainability of Nigeria’s rail transport system to contribute to the body of knowledge debating the economic sustainability of rail transport globally. Previous researches have also been done in Nigeria and internationally on the subject area using different approaches but this research used concurrent triangulation design to validate the formulated hypothesis that rail transport system has not significantly affected local economic development. This was validated using simple linear regression and key informant interview (KII). The theoretical lens for the study is the Rostow’s stages of economic growth. The result, [R2= .12, F (1, 172) = 24.31, p < .01] showed that rail transport has contributed significantly to the local economic development and the KII generally reinforce the empirical findings hence hypothesis is rejected. This study recommended the permitting of more vendors providing services at the terminal as this will lead to vibrant local economic development whilst improving the standard of living of residents and the adoption of a holistic economic sustainability policy be embraced by the managers of rail transport system in the country.

References

  1. Ademiluyi, I. A. & Solanke, M. O. (2008). Perceptual notion and realities of Nigerian urban centres. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences. 5, 177-181.
  2. Adesanya, A. (2010). Bringing the Nigerian Railways Back on Track: Challenges and Options. Paper Presented at monthly NISER Seminar Series, Held at the Niser Conference Room
  3. Akbulaev, N., & Bayramli, G. (2022). Analysis of Impact of Distribution Tool Railway Transport on the Economic Growth of Azerbaijan. Journal of Distribution Science, 22-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.15722/jds.20.05.2022.05.23
  4. Andrew, H. (2020). Network rail. Environmental sustainability strategy 2020-2050. www.networkrail.co.uk accessed 16/11/2021.
  5. Apanisile, O. T. & Akinlo, T. (2013). Rail Transport and Economic Growth in Nigeria (1970 2011). Australian Journal of Business and Management Research. 3(5), 18-24.
  6. Atack, J., Bateman, F., Haines, M. & Margo, R. A. (2010). Did Railroads Induce or Follow Economic Growth? Urbanization and Population Growth in the American Midwest, 1850-60. Social Science History, 34(2), 171-197.
  7. Beyzartlar, M.A., Karacal, M. & Yetkiner, H. (2014). Granger- Causality between Transportation and GDP: A panel Data Approach Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practise, (63), 43-45
  8. Black, T. (1996). Evaluating social science research. Sage, London
  9. Chung, Z., Chen, Z & Qin, C. (2019). Estimating the Economic Benefits of High Speed Rail in China. Journal of Transport and Land-use, 12 (1), 287-302.
  10. Chukwurah, G. O., Okeke, F. O., Isimah, M.O & Igwe, A. E. (2022). Assessment of The Performance of Railway Transportation in Nigeria. Journal of Scientific African. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01120
  11. Danish,. & Baloch, M.A. (2008). Dynamic linkage between road transport energy consumption, economic growth and environment quality: evidence from Pakistan Environmental Science pollution Res 25,7451-7552http.//doi.org/10.1007/3// 356- 017-1072-1.
  12. Dadang Dally, Yeti Rohayati, & Soheil Kazemian (2020). Personal carbon trading, carbon-knowledge management and their influence on environmental sustainability in Thailand. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy 10 (6), 609-616, 2020.
  13. Dehghan, S.Z. & Safare, S. (2018). Do Transport Infrastructure Spill Over Matter for Economic Growth? Evidence on Road and Railway Transport Infrastructure in Iranian Provinces. Regional Science Policy and Practice, 10 (1), 49-63.
  14. Ewing, R., & Cervero, R. (2002). Travel and the built Environment: A synthesis. Transportation Research Record, 1780:87-114.
  15. Mamedov, Z.S. (2022). XXI Century: Transport Factors of Economic Development, Baku, Azerneshi.
  16. Muhammad et al. (2018). Natural Resource Abundance a Stimulus for Financial Development in the USA? https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2017.12.006
  17. Odeleye, J.A. (2010), “Politics of Rail Transport Development in Developing Countries: Case of Nigeria. Provinces. Regional Science Policy and Practice, 10 (1), 49-63.
  18. Oluwakoya, A.O & Ogudipe, S.D. (2021). An assessment of the Geometric Growth of Railway Transportation in Nigeria: A Literature-based study from 1970 and 2016, Transport Geography Paper of PGS, 24(4), 30-40.
  19. Owen, W. (1964). Strategy for Mobility. Washington Booking Institution.
  20. Primmer, A. (2021). British overseas railway investment and economic development: The Colombian National Railway Company and its impact on the Colombian interior. Business History, 1-24.
  21. Ramirez, M. T. (2001). Los Ferrocarriles y su Revista de Historia Economica. 19(1), 81-122.
  22. Rodriguez, Jean- Paul., Claude, Comtois. & Brian, Slack. (2013). Geography of Transport System. Routledge. Retrieved from b-ok.africa/book/2336405/3ad2d2
  23. Qingyi, Shi. (2018). High Speed Railway and Regional Economic Growth: An Empirical Study Based on Market Potential. School of Economic, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China. Doi:10.4236/ajibon.2018.8106t.
  24. Wang, J., Sekei, VS., Ganiyu, S.A., & Makwetta, J.J. (2021). Research on sustainability of the standard gauge railway construction project in Tanzania. 13,5271.https://doi.org/10.3390/sul3095271
  25. Wu.C., Zhang, N., & Xu,L. (2021). Travellers on the Railway: An Economic Growth Model of the Effect of Railway Transportation Infrastructure on Consumption and Sustainable Economic Growth. Sustainability 13, 6863, http://doi.org/10.3390/su13126863