Citizen participation in decision-making for urban road transport planning in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Abuja, Nigeria is facing a transport crisis. It has only road as its mode of transport, it has inadequate road transport infrastructure and facilities that create delays for commuters. As a result, the city is ill prepared for transport demand and transition to a zero-carbon transport system. This study aims to understand user needs and satisfaction while using the existing transport system, and the involvement of transport users in the development of the city’s transport system. The FCT has a population of 1,406,239, and the average daily passenger number for bus travel in the whole administrative region is under 800,000. This study highlights the implications of inadequate citizen participation, demonstrating an absence of agency to influence strategic planning decisions for road transport provision in the city. A semi-structured interview with 261 commuters (sample size was calculated with 90% confidence level and 5% margin of error) was carried out in Abuja, the interviews was a purely random approach to commuters. The study found out 79.7 of respondents supports the need to involve the citizens in decision making, 62.5% do not own any type of vehicle, 53.6% are not satisfied with public transport services, and 60% of research participants are young people and people of working age. Also, understanding the needs and priorities of commuters and operators of road transport facilities, supported by the necessary numerical and factual data is important for establishing a sustainable transport system in Abuja. It is argued that civic engagement, participation, collective citizen action, and the knowledge of the governance system should be guiding themes for understanding the needs of the stakeholder priorities.