TRANSPORTATION AND THE ECONOMY OF KANO METROPOLIS, 1967-2014: A HISTORICAL STUDY OF INTRA-CITY COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT SERVICES

TRANSPORTATION AND THE ECONOMY OF KANO METROPOLIS, 1967-2014: A HISTORICAL STUDY OF INTRA-CITY COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT SERVICES

Abstract:

This study examined the historical processes that led to the evolution and subsequent development of intra-city commercial transport services and their overall impact on the economy of Kano metropolis from 1967-2014. The study therefore, centers on the role of commercial road transportation in molding the economy of Kano. Its main focus is post- colonial Kano (i.e. 1967-2014), a period that witnessed rapid demand increase of commercial vehicles mainly due to the expansion of commercial and industrial activities in Kano metropolis and ever increasing urbanization which goes along with population explosion. The commuters‟ patronage to such motorists sustained and made the business lucrative. More so, the traders who had come from within and outside Kano relied heavily on commercial vehicles to transport their merchandise to their various destinations. Commercial road transport system therefore, had become well organized in Kano with significant number of people earning their means of livelihood from it. It also serves as a source of revenue to governments at different levels. The Metropolitan area has expanded over the years and has become the third largest conurbation in Nigeria with a population of about 4 million. Thus, the organization of road transport system in Kano ensures easy mobility of factors of production as well as raw materials and finished goods to and from Kano. These had facilitated the economic growth of Kano in the spheres of trade expansion and manufacturing industries. However, the study of transport and development as an academic discipline is inter-disciplinary in nature. This study therefore employs the services and the methodologies of other disciplines such as Geography, History, Urban and Regional Planning, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics etc to provide a comprehensive picture of the issues under investigation. The source materials for this study included extensive use of written literature and oral information. In view of the crucial importance of intra-city commercial transport services, this study demonstrates its role in the overall economic transformation of the study area. It generally also, contributed in opening up a new ground and looked into the history of commercial transport system. And at same time, set in motion grounds for further research into the history of the study area. Finally, a number of ways have been identified on how to properly manage, improve and effectively control the road traffic system

TRANSPORTATION AND THE ECONOMY OF KANO METROPOLIS, 1967-2014: A HISTORICAL STUDY OF INTRA-CITY COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT SERVICES