This was a very popular question among the candidates and they performed averagely well.  Many of those who answered the question drew poor map outlines which made it difficult for them to properly insert the required features at the expected locations.  Practising the art of sketching maps will result in mastery of the art.  Also some of the candidates misinterpreted “physical factors that limit the use of rivers for transport” to mean “Factors that affect water quality” The physical factors that limit the use of rivers for transportation in Nigeria include:

-           presence of debris;
-           presence of waterfalls, rapids and cataracts on the river courses;
-           presence of water weeds;
-           seasonal fluctuations in the volume of rivers;
-           short lengths of rivers;
-           shallow nature of rivers;
-           swift flow of some rivers in the rainy season;
-           narrow channels and gorges;
-           silting of rivers.

The solutions to the physical factors that limit the use of rivers for transportation in
Nigeria include:

-           construction of dams;
-           continuous clearing of weeds;
-           dredging of rivers;
-           construction of cannals;
-           use of smaller/lighter vessels;
-           building of locks;
-           clearing of debris;
-           channelization.