CHAPTER ONE

Background to the Study

1.1       Introduction

The improvement in the means of transportation created the most needed impetus that contributed substantially to the development of man. The knowledge of navigation, for instance, led to the discovery of many otherwise unknown lands. It led to navigation of the Atlantic Ocean which brought about the contact between Africa and Europe. West Africa became accessible to the outside world through the sea about 1450AD. In addition, the great expansion in world trade during the nineteenth century was made possible by the building of a large number of better designed ocean-going ships, capable of profitably transporting goods of high bulk and low unit value, such as timber, grains, coal and mineral ores.[1]

The modern railway came about as a result of a union between the iron rail and the steam-driven locomotive. The iron rail came into use about 1770 in Britain and the first steam-driven locomotive used on them was developed by Richard Trevithick in 1804.[2] In 1838, the first main line between London and Birmingham was opened by which time about 500 miles of railway were opened to the public. From the humble beginning, railway development throughout the modern world cities. By 1850, the mileage of British railway was 6,084 miles,[3] the number of passenger journeys made in 1850 alone was 50 million.

British administration introduced railway transportation in Nigeria. This is behind the backdrop that the principal motive of the British in Nigeria was economical. To harp on this various advantages of railway means of transportation, this project was vigorously pursued; railway led to an increase in passenger traffic, since they provided cheap, rapid and safe travel for all classes of society; secondly, railway became important transporters of freight, particularly bulky commodities such as raw materials. Thirdly, railway stimulated employment, both in their construction and in the permanent jobs which became available when they were completed.

The first railway line construction work began in 1896[4] from Lagos to Ibadan. The work of railway was done through direct labour using traditional rulers to provide unskilled labour and tax also use as a means of enforcement. By 1930, the western line had reached Nguru in Northern Nigeria. The eastern line started from Port-Harcourt in 1915 reaching KauraNamoda also in Northern Nigeria by 1920. Railway line reached Funtua Town of Katsina Province in 1927. It is important to note that railway was considered by the colonial government as one of the infrastructures vital for economic take off in Nigeria. This is one important factor for the study of railway introduction, growth and impacts of these on the development of Funtua Town. However, railway transportation witnessed decline in the 1980s and collapsed in 1992.[5] Reasons for the decline and its effect in Funtua economy forms the fulcrum of this study.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

The extension of railway line to Funtua in 1927 opened a new epoch in the history of the town. This affected socio-economic and even political development of the community. However, a number of issue has been raised on the development and decline of the means of transportation; what are the actual reasons for the introduction and extention of railway to Funtua by the colonial authority in particular, to the Northern Nigeria in general. What are the real benefits of railway extention to Funtua by the colonial authority and the natives of Funtua, years after the departure of the colonial powers

During the 1920s to the late 1970s, railway transportation witnessed expansion. What necessitated this expansivity? During this period, socio-economic development also witnessed massive expansion, growth and development. What are the factors that led to these expansions. And what are the impact of these on the native and inhabitant of Funtua town.

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