EXPLORING THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE WITH ROAD USER PRICING AND PARKING MANAGEMENT

Projections of energy consumption levels in the world is surely a pointer to the fact that motorization is set to become the greatest challenge facing humans in the near future; if left unchecked. This paper presents a non-technical review of the issues of increased motorization, and principles relevant for transport pricing design. It is popular knowledge that increase in roadway infrastructure, superfluously induces demand for the new infrastructure. It was on this premise that this paper sought to review possibilities in reducing levels of car ownership and dependence in Nigeria, instead of increasing supply of road infrastructure. The final part of this paper adopted survey methods to forecast acceptability levels for RUC schemes in Nigeria. Empirical evidence from online poll and interviews suggest that a great number of Nigerians would not support such schemes; however, there seems to be a little higher potential for acceptability considering that some respondents were of the opinion that if not for the issue of unaccountability, incertitude of hypothecation, and government’s low level of interest in maintaining existing roads, they would have supported the development of such schemes.