Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2008
Razak Atunwa, Kwara State Commissioner for Works and Transport
Picture: Raymond Obialo
With its responsibility of providing a reliable and efficient road transport network, the Ministry of Works and Transport is pivotal to the economic growth and development of Kwara State. Raymond Obialo spoke to Razak Atunwa, Kwara State Commissioner for Works and Transport.
The Ministry of Works and Transport plays a very important role in taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots. What is the mandate of your ministry?
Essentially, we are charged with road construction and maintenance, which is to ensure that we have good roads throughout Kwara State. We also have the responsibility to deliver street lighting, street structures and everything else relating to transport in the state. This includes bus services under which we have the Kwara State Transport Corporation popularly known as Kwara Express. We are a point of contact for various transport unions such as the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union for Road Transport Works (NURTW). We are also the point ministry in the state for the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC). Our vehicle inspection unit is charged with the responsibility to monitor the state of our cars and vehicles. The fire service also falls under the Ministry of Works and Transport.
How would you rate the performance of your Ministry and what are the challenges it currently faces?
The Ministry plays a vital part in the socio-economic development of the state in particular and Nigeria in general. If you want to be part of the developed world, you need certain infrastructure, key among of which is a good road network because if a place is not accessible then it is no good to anyone. When I joined this Ministry, it was already in a good and stable state but I’ve added my own style, way and drive. I believe the Ministry is more dynamic and energetic, and that tasks are performed at a faster rate than before.
The challenges facing us are that we need to improve the road network throughout the state, as well as the transport sector in general. We need to continue constructing and rehabilitating as many roads as possible.
Ilorin is developing at an exponential rate, the population growth is quadrupling, and the number of cars coming out of Ilorin is tremendous when compared to three or four years ago. All the major banks and businesses are coming in and this means that we need to begin to look at our transport sector in two ways – firstly, you need to be able to manage the existing traffic, and secondly you need to be able to plan for an increase in the number of motorists.
We need to implement a transport system in Kwara, particularly an organised bus service. Bus transport services in Ilorin will ease congestion by reducing the number of people using cars and taxis.
I have a holistic approach to the transport challenges facing us. When you construct a road it needs to be properly planned - certain roads need to be a one way system and roundabouts have to be placed at the appropriate junctions. In addition, you need to have a traffic management agency enforcing the road regulations to ensure the free flow of traffic. Improper and illegal parking also leads to traffic congestion and the problem should be addressed.
What is your Ministry doing to improve the condition of roads in Kwara State and are you working together with other agencies and the private sector?
Thankfully the roads in Kwara State are not in such a deplorable condition as in the rest of Nigeria. Our roads are far better and we aim to keep them in a good state. When you build roads, you need to build to a certain standard that will ensure longevity. Contractors often cut corners but in Kwara we have monitors that carry out budget and project monitoring to ensure quality service. Having built roads, you need to maintain these roads and for that we have the Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency which is a parastatal under this Ministry. We equip them and give them enough financial muscle to effectively maintain our roads.
Essentially the construction of roads is not a profit making exercise but a service to society; therefore it is difficult to engage the private sector to invest in infrastructural roads. In some cases it can happen, particularly in the developed world, where a private company construct and maintain a road and charge toll to recover their costs. This might be viable for large roads, but if you look at the kind of roads we have in the state it is not something that would attract investors.
We do, however, believe in attracting advanced technology and have received a number of proposals asking us to consider how technology can be utilised to construct better quality roads. People have come to show us stabilising materials for the base and sub-base that makes compaction cheaper. A South African company has also been marketing coal tar and we are experimenting with that. There is a road network which we hope to do with coal tar, to test its quality and effectiveness. So to that extent, we welcome the private sector.
What opportunities for investment and public-private-partnerships (PPP) currently exist within the area of transport and public works?
The Kwara State government welcomes both foreign and local investment. In the transport sector we need buses and nothing stops reputable companies or investors to come here and examine the profitability of establishing a bus service. We welcome all proposals and will treat each on merit.
Investors interested in vehicle assembly industries should also contact us. We have land, skilled and unskilled labour. If a motor company is interested in establishing itself in Kwara, we will do everything to encourage them by providing all the necessary incentives to make life easier for them.
Bribery along Nigeria’s roads is a major burden for the transport of goods within Nigeria. How can this problem be eradicated?
It would be foolish to say that such a problem does not exist. It does and is a concern to vehicle owners, drivers and passengers. This is an issue for the police but my advice is that the police service should crack down on officers who extort or demand money from transporters. Bribery along our roads discourages effective transportation and prevents people from getting into their cars; as a result a lot of money and business are lost.
The Ilorin International Airport has recently been transformed into a transport hub. Explain the changes that have been made and how it is benefiting trade in Kwara State?
We are proud of what we have done within Ilorin International Airport. All airports in Nigeria are federal but we seized the bull by the horn and took the initiative to revitalise the airport. The state government has so far spent over a billion naira on the airport and it has really come to life.
First, we built a new ultra-modern passenger terminal and we are happy to say that we got an airline to operate not only the Lagos-Ilorin route but also the Ilorin-Abuja route. We are now connected to the rest of Nigeria by means of air transportation which is a commendable accomplishment.
Secondly, we are in the process of constructing a cargo terminal and when completed it will be one of the best cargo terminals in sub-Saharan Africa. In the mean time we have converted the old passenger terminal to a temporary cargo terminal. The reason for this is we believe that Lagos is being congested in terms of cargo. Ilorin is in the middle of Nigeria and because a lot of cargo goes north we are taking advantage of the situation. We expect international cargo flights to begin to come to Ilorin International Airport which will lead to an explosion in economic activities.
In addition, this will also benefit the Zimbabwean farmers in Kwara State. They will be able to import cattle straight from South Africa to Ilorin International Airport rather than transporting them by road from Lagos.
