USE OF MOTOR CYCLE: A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN ILORIN METROPOLIS, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Efficient transportation system is core to any economic growth, development and success.  It is a means of moving valuable variables such as labour, producers, middlemen, and customers from one place to another.  The city of Ilorin is the capital of Kwara State the most populous city in the State.  The use of Okada as means of transportation in Ilorin metropolis was as a result of many factors such as, influx of people into the city from rural areas to seek for greener pastures.  Unfortunately, the traditional public transport supplies cannot cope and this created a big gap in transportation activities in the city. Also, the poor economy that leads to high unemployment among adults and poor infrastructural facilities made many trained artisans to venture into Okada riding.  This paper discusses the use of Okada business as sustainable transportation system in Ilorin metropolis. This paper further discusses the positive contributions of Okada means of transportation to the economy and the people in Ilorin metropolis especially as an alternative to the traditional mode of transport of taxis and private cars. The use of questionnaire was employed to elicit relevant data and information from the respondents.  A survey technique was used to access motorcycle transportation business in Ilorin metropolis covering (Ilorin West,Ilorin East and Ilorin South Local Government Council). Okada riders in the threeLocal Government Areas were randomly selected, interviewed and giving questionnaire to fill. 10 sub-union of Okada riders were purposely selected from the study area out of which 100 Okada users (public) were randomly selected. Likert type scales mainly strongly agree (SD), Disagree (D), Agree, (A), and Strongly Agree (SA) was used.  The criteria mean for significance was 2.5000 (1+2+ 3+4)/4 = 2.5. From the findings, it is recommended that the use of Okada as means of transportation should be allowed but measures should be put in place to monitor its operation so as to reduce its hazards (especially incessant accident).  Also, since it has been in operation to fill the gap created by the traditional mode of transportation, its use should be allowed to meet the needs of the populace.