Machinery Maintenance Viewpoint: One Approach to an Improved Rural Road Traffic Safety in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Local Governments (LGs), the third tier of government in Nigeria, are expected to
maintain infrastructure facilities at the grass root level but most rural communities in
Southwest Nigeria are characterized by poorly maintained roads. This study assessed
conditions of Moveable Rural Road Maintenance Equipment (MRRME) under LGs in
Southwest Nigeria vis-a-vis the safety levels on the rural roads. The study measured, impacts
of roads conditions on commercial drivers/riders (cdr) and, level of usage of MRRME for the
roads. Questionnaires were used to measure: accident rates and impacts among 250 cdr on 9
selected rural roads; Maintenance Performance Measures (MPM) of MRRME among 430
Senior Technical Officers (STOs) and Senior Finance Offices (SFOs) in 84 LG secretariats.
The conditions of MRRME were carried out using observational method. More than 72% of
cdr were involved in one crash or another and 89% of them attributed this to bad roads. Less
than 26% of MRRME was functional with weak plans/tools put in place for correct
maintenance program leading to a high level of MRRMEs’ failures and total neglect. T-test t
(428) = -5.146, p = 0.421) found that the opinions of STOs (poor ratings for MPM policy
implementation) were not different from that of the SFO. There is the need for safety attitudinal
change among cdr. LGs also need empowerment to ensure proper maintenance of MRRME and
enhances their availability. These measures among other will reduce accidents death counts on
Nigeria rural roads.