By Angela Atabo
Abuja -The Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) on Wednesday said it would partner with the Governors of Anambra, Willie Obiano and Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, on measures to ease traffic on the Niger bridge during the yuletide.
A statement signed by Mr BISI KAZEEM, Head, Media Relations and Strategy of the commission, 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 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 said it was one of the major highways that linked the Eastern part to the other parts of the country.
According to him, characteristically, the Corridor experienced considerable volume of traffic in varying degrees.
“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 of traffic.
“ 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 hardships to other motorists.
Oyeyemi said 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 in solving the problem.
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,’’ the corps marshal said
The statement said that the Governors pledged their support to the commission to ensure a sustained free flow of traffic in the two states, especially during the yuletide.