The Federal Road Safety Corps on Wednesday said it would collaborate with the Governors of Anambra and Delta States, Willie Obiano and Ifeanyi Okowa, on measures to ease off traffic on the Niger Bridge during the yuletide.
A statement signed by Bisi Kazeem, the Head of Media Relations and Strategy of the FRSC, said the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, made this known during a meeting with the two governors.
Oyeyemi said that plans were underway to curb the perennial traffic challenges along the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha-Awka corridor.
He said that the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha-Awka corridor was one of the critical corridors of the nation’s highways with a total stretch of about 173km.
He equally said it is one of the major highways linking the Eastern part of the country to the others.
According to Oyeyemi, characteristically the corridor experiences considerable volume of traffic in varying diversity.
He said: “Recent traffic count indicated that at the peak of traffic along Asaba-Benin highway, a total of 7,692 vehicles were recorded on 12 hourly basis, while Benin-Asaba also recorded 6,681 at the peak.
“The lowest traffic period within the same period recorded 527 and 412 for the two routes respectively.
“Of recent, it has been observed that the corridor has degenerated throwing up some traffic non-conformities, while at the same time motorists, as usual, misuse the road bringing considerable hardship to other motorists.
“Aside from this, other non-traffic impediments prevail along the corridor for which concerns have been raised and immediate, medium and long term solutions must be preferred.”
Oyeyemi said that the FRSC also observed some challenges along that corridor like checkpoints mounted by the Army, Police and produce officials.
The checkpoints, which are before the Head Bridge, Oyeyemi said, causes gridlocks.
He said inappropriate use of intersections along the corridor, motorists making illegal use of the dual carriage Island during peak periods and inadequate and defacement of traffic signs among others were also included.
The Corps Marshal proffered solution to consist of a short term initiative of reformed Military/Police checks to reduce interference with traffic flow.
He also suggested the elimination of Local Government Area Council agent’s produce/emblem checkpoints and more personnel to be deployed to adequately man intersections and ease traffic friction.
Oyeyemi added that there was the need for public enlightenment on the values of road signs to stem destruction and defacement and removal of all obstructions, e.g. buildings, markets, motor parks and hawkers.
He said that the medium term plan could be reduction in number of U-Turn on the dual carriage way and Procurement and installation of adequate traffic signs along the Corridors to guide traffic.
He said that repairs of the defective shoulders of the road and other segments that serve as impediments to free traffic flow would be needed, adding that procurement of adequate traffic cones and reflective jackets would help.
Oyeyemi said the long term plan should include blockage of the Islands being illegally used with non transverse barriers and state bye-law should be put in place.
This, he said, was to adequately punish anyone who defaces and/or destroy traffic signs and other road infrastructure.
Oyeyemi said that having identified the various impediments to free flow of traffic along this critical corridor and highlighting the possible phased solutions, intervention as specified would go a long way.
He said this would also make motorists enjoy their travels and minimise time lost in transit as well as eliminate loss of lives and property associated with crashes.
“Quick action on this issue is therefore sacrosanct,” he said.
The statement said that the Obiano and Okowa pledged their support to the FRSC to ensure a sustained free flow of traffic in the two states, especially during the yuletide.
The two Governors promised logistics support to the FRSC to achieve the big task and requested the Corps to make a difference this year so as to ease the attendants pains witnessed by the motoring public around this period.
News Anambra, Delta partner with FRSC to ease traffic on Niger Bridge during...
