THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN SIMULATING PORTHARCOURT CITY MASS TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM

Otoro-Theodore, Wonimidei

Department of Architecture

Rivers State University NkpoluOroworukwo, Port –Harcourt

E-mail: Ojay4dizzle@yahoo.com

Abstract:

Transportation as a major activity in human existence forms the basis of all socioeconomic interactions as inadequate transport facilities often hinders economic development. Bad roads, inadequate fleets of vehicles, inadequate trains, overcrowded airplanes and congested ports are common features of developing world transportation service like in port Harcourt, and Nigeria at large, the aim of this study is to examine the role government can play to stimulate and solve Port Harcourt city transportation problems using computer based software, Descriptive research design was adopted in this study, questionnaires was used to obtain data from commuters and transporters from some transport routes in the city such as, Zoo to Mile1 park, Oil Mile to Mile1 Park to Borokiri, Rumuokoro ( Okoronudo) – Mile1 to Borokiri and Mile1 to Leventis to NPA. Data collected were analyzed and presented graphically, the result of the study shows that there is serious transportation problems in port Harcourt, and can best be solved using a computer software matrix system. Therefore, in this research work computer software was developed to tackle the problem.  Some constraints were established and the developed software was tested with life data to ascertain the usefulness of the computer programme. It also was recommended there is an urgent on the part of government to actively develop strategies and system that will facilitate the process of road transportation system in Nigeria.

Key words: Transportation, Movement. Problems, Programme, software