As Nigeria contemplates implementing Prof Osinbajo’s public works programme here are kilometres of tarred road figures targets we should aspire to meet. Nigeria is seriously lagging behind other developing nations

Ayo Akinfe

(1) India - 5.9m km

(2) Brazil - 1.75m km

(3) South Africa - 750,000 km

(4) Thailand - 702,210 km

(5) Indonesia - 542,310 km

(6) Turkey - 445,000 km

(7) Mexico - 393,473 km

(8) Iran - 291,014 km

(9) Pakistan - 263,942 km

(10) Nigeria - 193,200 km

We have our work cut out as neither our road nor railway network is sufficient to meet our communication needs. What Nigeria needs to concentrate on in my opinion are rural roads that link farmlands to local government headquarters so producers can get their goods to market.

Fancy flyovers are nice but they cannot be our main priorities for now. Road construction is an economic tool not a status symbol!