Project Materials

INVESTIGATION OF THE COVID-19 SAFETY COMPLIANCE LEVEL OF TRANSPORT COMPANIES IN ABUJA (A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM TRANSPORT COMPANY, JABI)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 

The effects of the coronavirus have been widely reported. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared this outbreak to be a pandemic. The World Health Organisation reports that as of December 2020, instances had been confirmed in more than 203 nations, regions, or territories (WHO, 2020).

Since the world health organisation described the virus as dangerous and contagious, the epidemic in Nigeria resulted in a number of restrictions on all areas of activity in the country.

The common cold and more serious conditions like Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are caused by a family of viruses known as coronaviruses, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Originally, humans contracted these viruses from animals. For example, MERS spread from a species of camel to humans, but SARS was spread from civet cats to humans.

Numerous recognised coronaviruses that have not yet infected humans are present in animals. Nations from all across the world are rushing to stop the coronavirus pandemic from spreading.

Nigeria confirmed its first case in Lagos State on February 27. The Italian employee, who had returned from Milan, Italy via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on February 25, became ill on February 26 and was taken to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for testing and isolation.

The federal government of Nigeria imposed limitations on educational institutions, businesses, social gatherings, religious organisations, human movements, transportation corporations, and all other sectors of transportation in an effort to stop the virus’s spread.

Since road transport plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, the limits imposed are intended to help the industry continue operating.

The limitations include: limiting the number of passengers to 50% in order to prevent direct human contact; keeping backup buses ready to handle high demand (to guarantee 50% maximum loadings); cleaning more frequently touched areas of cars; making sure employees maintain social distance in common areas (such as dining rooms); and making sure all employees wear face masks.

However, there hasn’t been a clear assessment of the rate of compliance and adherence to the COVID-19 restrictions set for the transport sector because of the sheer number of transport companies and the administrative inefficiencies of government institutions.

Therefore, this study’s main goal is to look into how often transportation companies comply with COVID-19 safety regulations.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 

A country could be wiped out by the spread of COVID-19. The main strategy for controlling the spread is to implement tangible restrictions or preventative measures.

The government of Nigeria required prevention majors in all economic sectors, including the transportation industry, from the very first breakout of this illness.

The use of hand sanitisers, wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, and frequent hand washing are among of the safety precautions implemented to prevent the pandemic’s widespread spread.

More limitations, however, have been placed on the transportation industry, which has essentially impacted how it operates. They were unable to accommodate the customary number of passengers in their cars because of this constraint.

Because of the ineptitude and ineffectiveness of government entities, it should be highlighted that law evasion is practically common in Nigeria and that government directives are not rigorously followed due to a lack of continuous and stringent oversight.

Therefore, this study aims to determine how well transport companies adhere to COVID-19 safety orders, prevention, or restrictions.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Investigating the degree to which transport companies adhere to COVID-19 safety regulations or restrictions is the fundamental or most important goal of this study. Other particular goals are

to look into whether transport companies follow the safety regulations set forth by COVID-19.

to assess how well transport firms enforce government directives to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

to assess the degree to which government enforcement organisations fulfil their oversight responsibilities in guaranteeing that transport operators fully adhere to COVID-19 preventative measures.

to find out if Abuja’s transport companies consistently utilise face masks and hand sanitisers.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Are transport companies adhering to the Covid-19 regulations?

2. How well do transport firms adhere to COVID-19 regulations and guidelines?

3. How much do transport companies make sure that government directives to stop the spread of Covid-19 are followed?

4. How well do government enforcement agencies fulfil their oversight responsibilities in guaranteeing that transport operators fully adhere to Covid-19 preventive measures?

5. Do Abuja transportation companies consistently use face masks and hand sanitisers?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Because it will reveal the state of compliance by transport companies and the gaps created by enforcement agencies that mandate irregular adherence to COVID-19 rules and restrictions, this study will be of unimaginable importance to the federal and state governments.

Additionally, the suggestions will have a significant influence on how the limitations are tightened. The general public, students, and scholars will all be able to access this work as a source of information or academic material.

1.6 SCOPE

Using Akwa Ibom Transport Company, Jabi, as a case study, the study would solely look at the federal capital territory of Abuja and the condition of safety compliance with COVID-19 regulations by transport operators in Abuja.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS 

Covid-19: Also referred to as coronavirus, this infectious respiratory infection is brought on by a novel coronavirus strain that infects people.

Compliance is the act of following the law and doing what is right.

Transportation Company: A transportation company is a company that moves goods from one place to another, which is an important part of the manufacturing value chain.

Government: The group of people who make up a political unit’s or organization’s governing authority. For example, the officials who make up a political unit’s governing body and who make up the organisation as an active agency.