Using GIS Environment as a Remedy to Solve Rail Network in West Africa as a Global Village

Railway construction was started by most of the colonial government which colonised the sub region in the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s. Most of the railways were developed to gain access to the rich agricultural and mineral resources in the hinterland at that time, orienting its network mostly to the seaports. Now its purpose has been so much useful for carriage of passengers and freight at a very cost effective manner. Since after independence from the colonial rule, most West African countries in the sub region of the sub Sahara Desert have not, even if they have, are unable to expand their rail network substantially enough in bringing about sustainable development to its people. Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS) which (is a body under the AU and UN) comprises the Heads of State of governments of West African countries have initiated to embark upon the rail transport network sector in the sub region into a global village. These initiatives which have been loudly applauded have been in existence for a decade now and some are under going feasibility studies whiles others are not. Clearly the advantages and benefits of rail transport cannot be overemphasised, but if the rail network into a global village should be a reality then each country needs to address its problem which of course is peculiar. This pape