The Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC)
on Wednesday said it would collaborate with the Governors of Anambra Willie
Obiano and Delta Ifeanyi Okowa on measures to ease off
traffic at the Niger bridge during the yuletide.
In a statement signed by Mr BISI KAZEEM, Head Media
Relations and Strategy FRSC, the Corps Marshal, FRSC, 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 Benin-Asaba-Onitsha- Awka corridor.
He said that the Benin – Asaba – Onitsha – Awka
Corridor was one of the critical Corridors of the nations' highways with a
total stretch of about 173km, it is one of the major highways which link the
Eastern part of the country to the others..
According to him, characteristically, the Corridor
experiences considerable volume of traffic in varying diversity.
``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:Army, Police and produce officials'
Checks points before Head Bridge causing 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 check points and more personnel to be deployed
to adequately man intersections and ease traffic friction.
He added that there was 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, hawkers e.t.c
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.
He 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 Governors pledged
their support to FRSC to ensure a sustained free flow of traffic in the two
states especially during the yuletide.
In a separate statements, according to Kazeem, the two
Governors promised logistics support to 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.
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Society