This study presents the findings of a survey to determine the service characteristics that shippers consider important when selecting a port and the way these characteristics are prioritised according to their importance. Seven criteria for the port selection decision and four ports were identified, and the decision problem was structured into a three-level hierarchy using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The findings suggest that shippers place high emphasis on efficiency, frequency of ship visits and adequate infrastructure, while quick response to port users' needs was insignificant to them. Results from the study are of interest to Port managers because they provide essential information on the key factors that come into the decision process of port users, thus, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the ports. Maritime Economics & Logistics (2006) 8, 251–266. doi:10.1057/palgrave.mel.9100160

Identifies and assesses the key determinants of service quality and determines the quality of service offered by two ports in Nigeria using the SERVQUAL model. The main service attributes that are important to port users are determined. Relevant literature is reviewed to give relevance to the survey. Data for the study was collected via a well‐structured questionnaire, analysed, and perception‐expectation gap scores evaluated. Reveals that the service offered at Port Harcourt had a favorable influence on actual perceptions of quality of service and that there is improved service at the port in comparison with Lagos. Reveals that port managers focus on those dimensions which receive lowest ratings and attributes with high gap scores. This is a single‐industry (port) survey, thus raising doubts about the generalizability of the results. Reveals that port managers should be looking carefully at each of the dimensions where customers perceive receiving a different service than expected. Managers should also be in regular contact with employees in order to assess their service experiences. Shows how using SERVQUAL to identify important attributes of port service quality could be used as an early warning system for ports, thus being an important tool for managers.

The object of this paper is to identify and assess the key determinants of port service quality and to determine the quality of service offered by two ports in Nigeria using SERVQUAL model and a Customer Satisfaction Index to measure port users' level of satisfaction at these ports. Relevant literatures in port service quality were reviewed to give relevance to the survey. Data for the study were collected via a well-structured questionnaire, analysed, and perception and expectation gap scores evaluated.The findings of this survey reveal that service offered at Port Harcourt port had a favourable influence on actual perceptions of quality of service and that there is improved service at the port in comparison with Lagos. Also, the study reveals that there is a very strong relationship between the core and relational dimensions of service quality and satisfaction. The study also reveals that port managers should focus on those dimensions where customers perceive receiving a different service than expected and that managers should be in regular contact with employees to assess their service experiences.The survey shows how using SERVQUAL and Customer Satisfaction Index to identify important attributes of port service quality that could be used as an early warning system for port, thus being an important tool for port managers.

This research assesses the rate at which road users adhere seat belt use while driving on Nigerian roads, a policy of the Federal Road Safety Corps. Accidents are undesirable. Knowledge of the level of adherence to this FRSC Policy meant to make the road safer is vital. The study span the whole of Nigeria (except the Northeastern Nigeria due to security challenges) using major corridors (highways) that link the six geo-political zones with special interest given to some cities or town along these corridors. Traffic study was done along these corridors from 7am-5pm and the result showed that the use of seatbelts recorded an average of 58 percent level of compliance for car traffic and 60 percent for BATs traffic. It was also noted that the level of compliance dropped during the weekend and FRSC patrols were more on some routes than others which could be a part reason for variation in compliance levels

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