By Kabir Shariff
Kano city is the largest city for inter and intra-state migration in Nigeria. Yet, a city with over 6 million inhabitants is still scrambling for an efficient mode of transport in 2022. It is time for Kano to respond to the delinquent call for urban city mass transit. The commercial hub for Sub-Saharan states should be in a better position in terms of a good transportation network.
A significant milestone was accomplishment back in 2013 when the state government banned the operation of the reckless motorcycle taxis alias Dan Achaba. It’s time the government build upon that by making an informed decision to set the city in the right direction to improve mobility.
An efficient public transportation system is an essential social infrastructure that fast-growing cities like Kano should have to contribute to blossom economic and social activities in the state. But, unfortunately, although Kano city has become a champion in constructing flyovers, overhead and underpass tunnels in Nigeria since 2013, the city is flooded with thousands of tricycles that make life miserable for road commuters.
A prerequisite to having a good transportation system is to have a decent road network in the city. The decent road network in Kano since 1999 is the work done mainly by the state administration of 2007-2011. Although the administration did not construct any fancy flyovers, the Kanawas enjoy the roads built more than the flyovers. The central boulevard in Kano will be in good condition for some years to come, but Kano’s streets and minor roads are in poor condition.
The thousands of tricycles plying the busy roads of Kano need to be checked and regulated. Without proper transport regulation, Abuja will have been in a similar condition as Kano at the moment.
A few ideas that might assist in easing transportation difficulties is by mass transit buses. Developed cities worldwide, including London, Paris, and New York, are still using the basic mass transit buses despite several more developed alternatives like subways, trams, and cable car transport. Developing cities like Mumbai, Cairo, Pretoria and Djibouti are well known to have efficient mass transit buses. It’s time for Kano to lead the way in providing a safe and practical mobility network for the millions of Kanawas.
Firstly, the government should prioritise the rehabilitation and construction of intracity roads to ease mobility and reduce unwanted traffic in the city, especially at peak hours. The government should also invite private investors to supply and monitor mass transit buses with operations limited to the major boulevard in Kano.
The buses should have an affordable flat rate per trip, say N50. The registered tricycles should be limited to ply only small streets and avenues. This will put Kano in a better position in commerce and transportation. A coordinated transport system will reduce the high level of criminal activities carried out on tricycles daily. This approach can only be practical if the government can make strict laws to regulate to assure investors confidence and minimise the risk of reverting after the administration leaves office.
Kabir Shariff writes from Cherbourg, France. He can be reached via kbshariff@gmail.com.