Port-hinterland trucking constraints in Nigeria

A reliable and efficient transportation system contributes immensely to growth and prosperity of a nation. Nigeria, with its vast import traffic cannot afford to transport hinterland bound cargo in a manner not consistent with reliable practices. This study seeks to evaluate the rank-order and magnitude of the operational constraints associated with cargo haulage from Nigerian seaports to the hinterland. Data were obtained from primary sources through systematic administration of a questionnaire to truck drivers at the point of waiting in the seaport terminal. In all, 302 respondents were sampled. The results of the study reveals that ‘harassment’ from law enforcement agencies ranked first (Mean = 2.08). The results also shows that the association between nine pairs of the constraints were significant with the strongest negative correlation being that of delays and armed robbery, r = −0.599, p < 0.001. These results are fundamental for the prioritization of palliative measures to improve the operational problems of trucking in Nigeria.