Examine the Impact of Inland Waterways Transportation on Socio-Economic Development of Ogun State Coastal Area of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of inland waterways transportation and challenges of Ogun State coastal area of Nigeria. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Two types of questionnaires were administered in this research. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. The descriptive methods were employed for tabulation and data summary. Orthogonal factors analytical procedure was used for data reduction, multiple regression analysis was used to study impact of the water transportation on socio-economic development. And post -hoc analysis was to establish significant variations. The inferential analysis used in the study were analytical procedure, multiple regression methods. The study revealed that:- Inland waterways have high potential in Ogun State coastal area. The basic morphometric confirms that the area is riverine in nature. The water transportation is still under developed and underutilized, the report of ridership shows a low uses of inland waterways due to lack of facilities. The factors underlying the challenges at the jetties vary from one jetty to another. In Ogun State water jetties, five factors explained 78.9% of the variance. That 4 major problems impacted on the inland waterways developments . These are Financial constraints , Insufficient jetty facilities, Political influence and government policy that did not allow individual to own jetty, the un-dredged waterways. The study recommended, stronger policies and the need to encourage private /public participation in waterway development in Ogun State coastal area of Nigeria.