jason123:

A very good question. I know lots of SWestern people in UK that are planning to settle in Port harcourt when they come to Nigeria.

Other states are not taking advantage of their "situation". For instance, Ogun state should be the next big thing because of the increase in working class people that want cheap accommodation. This can ONLY be achieved of there is a FAST TRAIN FROM LAGOS TO OGUN!

Port harcourt will sooner, rather than later, become the next "Lagos". States such as Abia and Awka Ibom will be at the advantage.

We need  to "ECONOMICALLY INTEGRATE" these major cities. What I mean by this is, build a major FAST train from Ogun and Kwara (we need to be able to transport food fast) to Lagos, to Delta(Warri), Edo, to Port harcourt to Akwa Ibom (calabar to be specific), to Abia back to Delta(Asaba), then, a direct non-stop train to Kano, then, back to Lagos. Let Abuja remain the FCT for the thieves.

If this can be done, it will reduce the pressure on our roads, thus reducing traffic. It will also save time and as they say, "time is money". This will boost our revenue and will be sustainable in the long run.

jason123:

We need  to "ECONOMICALLY INTEGRATE" these major cities. What I mean by this is, build a major FAST train from Ogun and Kwara (we need to be able to transport food fast) to Lagos, to Delta(Warri), Edo, to Port harcourt to Akwa Ibom (calabar to be specific), to Abia back to Delta(Asaba), then, a direct non-stop train to Kano, then, back to Lagos. Let Abuja remain the FCT for the thieves.

If this can be done, it will reduce the pressure on our roads, thus reducing traffic. It will also save time and as they say, "time is money". This will boost our revenue and will be sustainable in the long run.

jason123:

A very good question. I know lots of SWestern people in UK that are planning to settle in Port harcourt when they come to Nigeria.

Other states are not taking advantage of their "situation". For instance, Ogun state should be the next big thing because of the increase in working class people that want cheap accommodation. This can ONLY be achieved of there is a FAST TRAIN FROM LAGOS TO OGUN!

Port harcourt will sooner, rather than later, become the next "Lagos". States such as Abia and Awka Ibom will be at the advantage.

We need  to "ECONOMICALLY INTEGRATE" these major cities. What I mean by this is, build a major FAST train from Ogun and Kwara (we need to be able to transport food fast) to Lagos, to Delta(Warri), Edo, to Port harcourt to Akwa Ibom (calabar to be specific), to Abia back to Delta(Asaba), then, a direct non-stop train to Kano, then, back to Lagos. Let Abuja remain the FCT for the thieves.

If this can be done, it will reduce the pressure on our roads, thus reducing traffic. It will also save time and as they say, "time is money". This will boost our revenue and will be sustainable in the long run.

This can ONLY be achieved of there is a FAST TRAIN FROM LAGOS TO OGUN!

Reference:

Indeed a recent study reveals that over [size=13pt][color=#770077]25,000 people from across the world move into Lagos for various reasons on a daily basis.

This statement is another high flying kite that's not entirely accurate. Our population is rapidly rising and rural urban drift is well in tango with wide spread poverty but this is common to all urban cities in Nigeria not Lagos alone. The Portharcourt I met in 1996 is a fraction of what it is today. Abuja in the days of the Abacha regime is nothing like it is today. Crowding, traffic jams, etc. To say or mean 25,000 people move into or locate to Lagos on a daily basis will no doubt empty the population of the remaining states and capitals of Nigeria in just 13 years when we know they are all growing simultaneously.

Our population growth is just unsustainable. This is one area we have to tackle with all vigour. China and India are two countries with similar profiles to ours and have both effected population control policies. And they came way before their boom years. However if we believe a large population is an asset like some do then that population has to be productive and hey can only be if they are educated and enlightened which unfortunately is not the case so we readily feel the impact.

Reference:

Indeed a recent study reveals that over [size=13pt][color=#770077]25,000 people from across the world move into Lagos for various reasons on a daily basis.

To say or mean 25,000 people move into or locate to Lagos on a daily basis will no doubt empty the population of the remaining states and capitals of Nigeria in just 13 years when we know they are all growing simultaneously.

Wallie:

I like the direction of this thread…

There’s no denying that Lagos has decades of infrastructure head start when compared to almost every other state. However, just like Jason123 said earlier, other states don’t have to be like Lagos and should instead take advantage of their inherent capabilities.

As stated earlier, Ogun has the most to gain from Lagos due to its proximity, low population density and low housing cost. Abeokuta is only about 70km (50 miles) away from the center of Lagos which makes it well within a daily commute in most parts of the world with advanced transportation. Can you imagine if there’s a modern high speed rail that connects Abeokuta to Lagos?

Generally speaking, any state willing to attract businesses needs to provide (1) adequate security, (2) reliable infrastructure, and (3) tax incentives.

T9ksy:

@ Jason,

of course, its a no-brainer that we need to integrate our major cities to facilitate major developments throughout the country. Unfortunately, those in the haulage business will fight tooth and nail to make sure such projects do not see the light of day. This happens to be the source of our stagnation- our leaders are so myopic and narrow-minded that they can't see the long-term benefits of such projects and will rather block them than see them through.

Even the highly-functional rail systems bequeathed to us by our colonial masters are now moribund. we saw how the brits used them to move goods easier and faster round the nation. we haven't even been able to maintain them never mind improve on them.

kcjazz:

The issue of a fast train will require huge investment costs and it is a long term plan. Even in Lagos, we have under utilized our water ways and water transport. We should make it more attractive in the mean time. In terms of moving foods, we need storage centers at different zones in the country and a road network

More so what states have the best electricity, I doubt it is Lagos, and why are folks not moving en masse to those states insecurity? religious intolerance? etc. Its why I still feel NYSC will play a major role in moving folks around, its being playing this role since inception and we just need to review and restructure it to address an economic problem

AjanleKoko:

Well, the issue is . . . are any of the other states as forward-looking as Lagos?
At least Lagos is able to adequately assess and attempt to harness the state's revenue generating potentials. Most other states just wait for the federal allocation, and share.

A modern high-speed railway in Nigeria is probably 50+ years away. Maybe even a hundred.

You mean Jonathan should run from abuja to be safe? how nice

AjanleKoko:

Well, the issue is . . . are any of the other states as forward-looking as Lagos?
At least Lagos is able to adequately assess and attempt to harness the state's revenue generating potentials. Most other states just wait for the federal allocation, and share.

A modern high-speed railway in Nigeria is probably 50+ years away. Maybe even a hundred.

jason123:


Good point but even with the huge investment, are we(Nigerians) not going to achieve greater rewards, revenue and mix up more?? The NYSC has and is still failing because the Government is[b] FORCING[/b] people to move to these cities. Without will power and the ability of these youths to voluntarily move to these cities, you will have a fail project such as the NYSC.
What I mean by this is, if an Igbo man wants to move to Kogi voluntarily, he knows he has to mix up with the locals and essentially become a Kogi man. Likewise a Yoruba man wants to start up a business in Imo, he has to learn the Igbo language, the culture and become an "Imo man" (at least, during his duration in that state).
All this will promote tolerance naturally, not the NYSC program to FORCES PEOPLE ON A COMMUNITY.


The trains do not have to run on electricity. Their are other types of technology that can be used. Even if its on electricity, what will it take the government to build a power station, with the sole aim of providing the necessary power to move this machine

About storage centres,
I reckon we can feed ourselves. What I mean by that is, the MB has the best soil in the country, yet, it also has large expanses of unused lands. Tapping into this will create employment for the unskilled labourers. Also, what will it take the state government or regional government (when we go to federalism not this quasi-trash we currently operate), to buy this goods and store them After all, the North had groundnut pyramids. Remember, that they did not have the technology to store food back then, yet they still stored. So what about now All these things can be done when we have a focused man at the center.

All in all, the advantages of economically integrating these cities (mention earlier) out weighs the disadvantages.  There will be no over congested city in Nigeria. Skilled labour can be shared within communities. Natural mixing of people will be encourage. Laziness will be discouraged because if you do not do something with your state such as promoting tourism and all, you will starve!!! Before you know it, tribal and religious tolerance will be in everyone's mind.

MO

Calculia:

Dis Guy
River Exe
Posts: 7728




No, he will stay in Abuja and die for this God forsaken country, for nothing. I said it before and will reiterate, for safety reasons because of terrorism, Jonathan need to move Abuja(FCT) to Port-Harcourt, for any planned infrastructural development investment to be making sense for the Niger-Delta(The region dat lays the Golden egg of Nigeria.)[/b]

Dis Guy:

die for this God forsaken country is what his job needs! abi no be why him apply for the post be that? if he doesnt want to die for the  country he is leading he might as well quit and go compete for a job as governor of Bayelsa, Not like he helped the cause of the ND (kudos to him for the monthly stipend he paid militants to give him some breathing space)
instead of moving the Capital, why not just make sure the ministry/Commission created solely for the ND do their work, or re-jig the revenue formula

Calculia:


Dis is were Nigerian faulter. In other countries citizens would jump in front of the bullet so Mr President can live and push forward the agenda of his manifesto for the nation. In Nigeria, the job is do or die. If u ask me dat is not necessary. I mean to be President doesn't qualify as Messiah.

Dis Guy:

Jonathan has been missing in action- he should lead from the front making effective use of the cowboy hat thats suitable for catching bombs either from MEND or Boko Harams- his name will be written in the Gloryland estate-otukpe!

odumchi:

@ Jason

I must support you on this one. A national railway network must be built. It would not cost much since Nigera is a small country in size. Nations like the USA have been able to create a cross continental railroad even though the USA is more than 5x larger than Nigeria. I'd suggest each region (N,W,E) should compete and construct a railroad that connects all of their major cities and finally to Abuja.

This would surely ease transportaion pressure but such a feat seems unreachable in Nigeria. We are still unable to create a perfect 4-lane road with proper safety measures not to talk of a national railway that requires round the clock maintenence and funding.

odumchi:

@ Jason

I must support you on this one. A national railway network must be built. It would not cost much since Nigera is a small country in size. Nations like the USA have been able to create a cross continental railroad even though the USA is more than 5x larger than Nigeria. I'd suggest each region (N,W,E) should compete and construct a railroad that connects all of their major cities and finally to Abuja.

This would surely ease transportaion pressure but such a feat seems unreachable in Nigeria. We are still unable to create a perfect 4-lane road with proper safety measures not to talk of a national railway that requires round the clock maintenence and funding.

Wallie:

lol, I agree with you but someone has to make the State governments see the benefits that a high speed rail could bring.

Based on a quick search, I found that the rail will cost about $1m -$1.3m per mile and about $300k per year for maintenance. From the above, it will cost about $50m-$75m to build the railroad to Abeokuta and about $15million a year for maintenance.

If the fare cost $1 for people without cargo and 100,000 people are transported in a day, that will equate to $100,000 in revenue per day. If a loan was obtained for $75 million dollars at 5% for 5 years, the revenue made in the first 15 days in a month can be used to pay back the loan.

Kobojunkie:

Population pressure on Lagos? Where do you people get these things from?

We know that Lagos is not as developed as Abuja is yet you do not see people flocking to Abuja., which is equally as expensive as Lagos, if not more. Lagos, compared to other states, is not a poor state, so it makes sense that people, even those in surrounding states, will try to find employment/living in the state. That does not mean however that the state's population is really witnessing an explosion. The state's own website puts the number at 17 million, as of 2006, in a whole state, out of 150 million in the entire country, and remains reasonable considering this trend has been the observed for over two decades.

http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/index.php?page=subpage&spid=12&mnu=null

Ileke-IdI:

I believe everyone flocks to Lagos because it might as well be the most detribalized state in NIgeria. You can find every facet of tribe and religion in that place.  I guess, it's the comfort that it gives to people.

Kobojunkie:

I do think that to a larger extent, that is reason why more people move there and the trend, again, is not new. Since the very beginning, Lagos has attracted people from far and wide. I don't believe we can declare the state OVERPOPULATED as some are attempting to do, without substantial evidence/data or even state presented data to back these claims up.

[size=4pt]_{I need sleep!}[/size]