Abstract
Since tricycle have become a recognized means of transportation in Nigeria, it has generated research interest among scholars with different focuses and findings. This study examines the performance of tricycle riders in Lagos along Ikorodu axis. The study was carried out in Ikorodu Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. Twenty five identified terminals for tricycle riders were purposively used for this study. Out of 300 registered tricycle riders, 171 were randomly selected across the terminals. Data collected were analyzed using appropriate statistical packages. The findings also show that tricycle operators earn above 1.90 dollar per day but this does not escape them out of extreme poverty as the average number of household that depend on their income is high. This study infers that there is significant positive relationship between level of hazard risk, and vulnerability to accident. Hazard vulnerability can be minimized through construction of good roads, regular traffic control, compliance to traffic rules, and regular rest and medical check-up.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
The growing transport demand coupled with increasing urbanization, population and industrial development, lack of private automobiles by dwellers contributed to the emergence of informal public transport in the world (McCormick, Mitullah, Chitere, Orero and Omneh, 2013; Kumar, 2011; Ipingbemi and Adebayo, 2016). Between 2015 and 2005, 85% of the 78 largest cities of the developed countries had the faster growth in their suburban areas than the urban centre (UN Habitat, 2011; Cervero, 2013). There is expectation that the urban population will grow faster despite the fact it accounts for more than half of the world’s population. The expansion of city and its density’s diminish ensues the increase in trip distance. This makes the journey to be complex and provision of public transport more important than ever before. The poor people tend to board slow-moving and over- crowded buses due to their low financial status (Paul and John, 2014). Transport service is viewed as maker and breaker of the city due to its benefit and predicament offers to urban area (Ogunsanya, 2002). Commercial tricycle (Keke Napep) are not excluded, and currently serving as means of living to many people of developing world, and auxiliary means to some people. There is an increase in the use of tricycle especially for commercial purpose in Africa. Tricycles made up of at least 33% of all transport modes in Sub Sahara Africa. For instance in Tanzania, the number of motorcycles and tricycles were 60% greater than the number of cars and buses in 2013 (Nyachieo, 2016; Amend and Transaid, 2018; WHO 2015). But it is associated with the risk especially during crashes. In comparing the tricycle with motorcycle, the tricycles are fewer than motorcycles. The cost of purchase, repairs and maintenance of tricycle are cheaper than other modes, and elite use it as means of income by hiring the tricycles to local operators.
Transportation is the pivot of the socio-economic development of nations. Essential in towns and cities is passenger transportation which caters for the movement of people for different human activities. As the size and population of a city grow, the demand for passenger transportation gets more complex and difficult to satisfy. Yet much is left to be desired in the provision of transport services. The situation came to a point that people started investing on private automobile as a way to seeking for a solution to the problem of transportation. This last step only succeeded in worsening the situation as traffic congestion became another source of problem in towns and cities. Although many people could not afford the private car, interest went towards the motorcycle while later became very fashionable as soon as people noticed that it enjoyed faster access of the roads. It came to a level that even those who had cars were attracted to own motorcycles because of the freedom of way the motorcycle controlled. This led to an unprecedented surge in the number of motorcycles in the cities and an uncontrollable case of traffic accidents. The traffic system became chaotic and a nightmare (Dike Declan N. 2012). As a result of the foregoing experiences, some state governments placed a ban on the use of the motorcycle in their state capitals and quickly substituted it with the tricycle. Some state governments even went to the extent of floating the tricycle in fulfillment of government pledge to bridge the gap caused by the ban on motorcycle. As soon as this happened, virtually all those who were into commercial motorcycle transport, and many others who were unemployed went into tricycle transport business. This helped in creating jobs for the teaming unemployed Nigerians. Today, the tricycle has gained ground in our towns and cities, and has become another mode of transport on its own unique class. Its presence is gradually penetrating the rural areas and may turn out to become the private car of tomorrow especially in the third-world countries such as Nigeria. Tricycle are more frequent in accident than regular vehicles, and at time lead to loss of important parts of the body (Starkey, 2011; Amend and Transaid, 2018). Ipingbemi and Adebayo, 2016 observe that tricycle is characterized with passengers lap one another, lack of horn, leaking roof, careless driving, and ignorance of road sign. Tricycle is also loading faster and more flexible than bus, but more dangerous due to lack of safety (Jain, 2011; Cervero, 2013). Many (73.4%) of the riders do not attend school beyond secondary level, and unemployment has been identified as the main reason people (55.5%) engage in tricycle. Only 35.4% of the riders possess valid license which has led to exploitation by traffic officers in Ikorodu axis of Lagos state.
- STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Over the years, the use of tricycle has spread to other part of the country in similar fashion in which it started in Lagos; introduced with a slogan like “keke NAPEP, keke Maruwa”, and so on, it is the spread and acceptance that this mode of transport enjoys in each state that catches my attention?. To better understand this, I have to comparatively analyze the use of tricycles in Lagos metropolis. Given this, the study attempts to identify the reasons people accept tricycle use quickly and their perception of it. Tricycle use and the causative factors of its use vary from one location to the other. Their prominence or availability in an area could be dependent on the socio-economic characteristics of the populace or the inherent perception of the commuters. This study attempts to compare the socio-economic characteristics in the study area, with a view to ascertaining its influence on the use of tricycle due to the fact that pattern or characteristics of this transportation system differ depending on locational characteristics.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The study has one main objective which is subdivided into general and specific objective. The general objective is on a study of performance evaluation of tricycle in Lagos along Ikorodu axis. The specific objectives are;
- To examine the effect of tricycle on the performance of transport sector in Ikorodu Axis of Lagos state
- To examine the relationship between tricycle operation and poverty alleviation in the study area
- To explore the role of tricycle operation in reduction of unemployment rate in Ikorodu Axis in Lagos state
- To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem
- RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
- Is there any effect of tricycle operation on the performance of transport sector in Ikorodu Axis of Lagos state?
- Is there any significant relationship between tricycle operation and poverty alleviation in the study area?
- Does tricycle operation play any role in reduction of unemployment rate in Ikorodu Axis in Lagos state?
- RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;
H0: There is no significant relationship between tricycle operation and poverty alleviation in the study area
H1: There is a significant relationship between tricycle operation and poverty alleviation in the study area
H0: Tricycle operation does not play any role in reduction of unemployment rate in Ikorodu Axis in Lagos state
H2: Tricycle operation does play a role in reduction of unemployment rate in Ikorodu Axis in Lagos state
- SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study can serve as a requisite for planning, as it could be a basis for policy creation, implementation and modification. Also despite tricycle’s assumed function of helping in commuting passengers, this research work can help in deciding if tricycle use should be encouraged or a better alternative should be approached. This will however, depend on the results of this work because it is not enough to plan a city based on assumption, a very detailed study like this is required in all aspects of transport planning.
- JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the performance of tricycle in Lagos along Ikorodu axis in Lagos state Nigeria. While it can be said that tricycle drivers are exposed to a high security risk in terms of accident fertility, the importance of their services cannot be over emphasis (Chappell & Di Martino, 2006), have been identified and studied in previous research, there is a lack of knowledge about the personal points-of-view of workers in assumed low-risk organizations regarding safety issues.
- SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of the study covers a study of performance evaluation of tricycle in Lagos along Ikorodu axis. But in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study;
- a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.
- b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
- c) FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.
1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS
Tricycle
A tricycle, often abbreviated to trike is a human-powered (or gasoline or electric motor powered or assisted, or gravity powered) three-wheeled vehicle.
Performance evaluation
Performance Evaluation is defined as a formal and productive procedure to measure an employee's work and results based on their job responsibilities.
Poverty
Poverty is the state of not having enough material possessions or income for a person's basic needs. Poverty may include social, economic, and political elements.
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.
