Annual report on the social and economic progress of the people of Nigeria.

Date:
[1937]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the social and economic progress of the people of Nigeria. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    224. There are two classes of road in the Northern Provinces: the “ all season ” road which except for a few short lengths has a gravel surface and permanent bridges; and the “ dry season ” road which is for the most part a cross country track with earth surface and temporary drifts or causeways at river and stream crossings which can only be used between December and May. The Native Administrations maintain 10,375 miles of road, of which some 4,000 are all season with varying limits for the weight of motor vehicles, and the remainder dry season. 225. There are approximately 5,288 miles of road maintained by Native Administrations in the Southern Provinces, the majority of which are earth roads only and are of secondary importance. A skeleton trunk road system for Nigeria has been approved comprising four main lateral roads from East, to West and two from North to South. The system totals 4,090 miles, of which 1,958 have hitherto been maintained by Native Administrations, but Government will assume financial responsibility for the whole. A general all season standard is not immediately intended, but the various sections will be maintained according to the standards required by local conditions. Posts and Telegraphs. 226. Postal Services.—Imperial and inland postage rates were reduced on the 1st April, 1937, to l^d. and Id. respectively, resulting in a marked increase in traffic. Steady progress has been made in extending the postal service to meet public demands and sixty additional Post Offices were opened in the course of the year. 227. Mails.—The regular fortnightly service of Messrs. Elder Dempster Lines, Limited, was supplemented during the year by extra sailings and, in addition, mails were also conveyed to and from Europe as opportunity offered by steamers of Messrs. John Holts, Holland West Africa Line, Woermann Line and the banana carrying vessels of the Laeisz Line. The internal mail services are operated by means of railway, motor transport and launch services. The outlying Post Offices are served by carrier and canoe transport. A weekly air mail service in both directions between Nigeria and England operated by Imperial Airways, Limited, is in operation. 228. Telegraphs.—The principal telegraph transmitting offices are Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna. These offices are all inter¬ connected, thus providing alternate channels in case of either one of the main lines being interrupted. .Rebuilding of the mainlines and the installation of the teleprinters are among the improvements were being carried out.