IMPLICATIONS OF THE LOCATIONS OF INTERCITY MOTOR PARKS ON ITS ADJOINING ENVIRONMENT IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Abstract Nigeria's vehicular usage has increased as a result of rapid urbanization and transportation infrastructure development. With changes in the urban landscape, the location of motor parks has become a serious issue, affecting the free flow of traffic in urban areas. This study aims at assessing the distribution of intercity Motor Parks location within Minna Metropolis and determine the implications of the Motor Parks’ location on the adjoining environment. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. The primary data were sourced from the residents within the area where the Motor Parks were located with the aid of questionnaire, while the secondary data sourced was the street guide map of Minna and Google earth map of the town. Ground Positioning System (GPS) was used to determine the coordinates’ location of the Motor Parks. This street guide map of the town was digitized, and the location points were fixed on the map. A total number of 200 copies of questionnaire was administered across the neighbourhoods where the Motor Parks were located using stratified sampling approach. The analysis was done descriptively, and results were presented in table using percentage. In the study eight (8) intracity Motor Parks were identified that are government approved, they are: Nice Travel and Kpakungu Garage, located at Kpakungu area; Abdulsalam Garage, NSTA Tunga Park, and Peace Mass-Transit, all located at Tunga area; Mobil Garage and Central Park at the central area of Minna; and NSTA Shango located at the city gate, along Minna – Suleja area of Minna. Only one of these Motor Parks (Peace Mass-Transit) is owned by private organization, while others are governments-controlled Parks. On the implications of location on the environment, five (5) out of the eight (8) variables examined, were more prevalent to all the areas and they are road-side parking, often high volume of traffic delay, blockage of drainage-way, hawking and noise pollution. The study concludes that in the arrangement and development of city’s landscape, planning and designing of Motor Parks should not be taken for granted being an important part of transportation infrastructure required for city development. The study, therefore, recommended that adequate designing, planning and development of Motor Parks in Minna should be considered, also, monitoring of the activities at the Motor Parks should be done to reduce to reduce traffic problem and other disturbance. The need for collaboration of the Motor Parks Management with the Niger State Environmental Protection Agency should be considered for cleanliness of Motor Parks and evacuation of blocked drainages with the areas of the Motor Parks.

Keywords: Environment, Development, Garage, Hawking, Location, Motor Parks.