INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE QUALITY IN THE NIGERIAN PORTS

Abstract

The study examined infrastructural development and service quality in the Nigerian ports. The paper used quantitative estimation by applying the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression analysis based on secondary data on quality of port infrastructure index, linear shipping connectivity, logistic performance index and cargoes dwell time obtained from Nigerian Ports Authority Abstract Statistic and World Economic Forum. Prior the OLS test, the variables were subjected to Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) unit root test to stabilize the data. The outcome of the unit root test showed that all the variables were stationary to forestall spurious regression result. The estimated OLS results showed that the coefficient of determination is 82%; thus, the model is a good fit.  Quality of port infrastructural index has a significant effect on cargoes dwell time (service quality in the Nigerian ports). Also, both liner shipping connectivity and logistics performance indexes were indirectly related to cargoes dwell time (service quality of the Nigerian ports). Based on the findings, the study recommended amongst others that, Nigeria ports should improve her shipping connectivity and logistic performance to avoid running the risk of losing same to other regional ports. Also, investments in port infrastructure development should be done under the public private partnership