The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra Command, has deployed personnel to strategic locations in Onitsha and surrounding areas ahead of the temporary closure of the Niger Bridge for maintenance.
The bridge will be closed to traffic from Sept. 7 to Sept. 21 to allow contractors to complete the maintenance work.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Anambra, Mrs Bridget Asekhauno, disclosed this on Sunday during a road audit of major routes connecting to the Second Niger Bridge.
Asekhauno said the deployment formed part of the corps’ proactive measures, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to manage traffic, ensure smooth vehicular movement and protect road users during the two-week closure.
She conducted the audit alongside the Sector Head of Operations, Federal Ministry of Works, Anambra, Mr Timothy Emenike; his Delta counterpart; and the Commander of the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency.
The team assessed alternative routes and identified areas requiring urgent intervention to ease traffic during the closure.
Asekhauno urged motorists to use the identified alternative routes linking to the Second Niger Bridge.
She listed the routes as Nkpor Old Road, Obosi Road, Onitsha-Owerri Road from Upper Iweka, and Atani Road through Uga Junction to Harbour Industrial Layout.
The sector commander assured motorists that the FRSC, in collaboration with traffic management agencies and other stakeholders in Anambra and Delta, had put measures in place to manage traffic and respond swiftly to emergencies throughout the closure.
She advised motorists to plan their journeys, obey traffic control directives and avoid unnecessary stopping or parking along the designated routes.
“We are also appealing to motorists to exercise patience and refrain from dangerous driving.
“They should also cooperate with personnel deployed in strategic locations during the period of the project.
“The cooperation and compliance of road users will help us achieve safe and seamless movement of traffic during the period,” Asekhauno said.
