FRSC CRS Command marks 6th UN Global Safety Week, promises to unlock gridlock at Odukpani junction

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cross River State Command says it will collaborate with other sister agencies to reduce or eradicate the perennial hold-up at Odukpani Junction, near Calabar.

The Sector Commander, Mr Ocheja Ameh said this on Tuesday in Calabar at a news briefing to mark the 6th United Nations Global Road Safety Week.

Ameh, who only assumed Office a week ago, said he had observed the hardship being experienced by motorists and commuters at the junction.

“I went to monitor the area during the Sallah break and saw the pains, the torture that motorists and commuters go through as a result of hold-ups.

“We are going to collaborate with all the agencies involved to ensure smooth traffic at Odukpani junction.

“I understand that, that is the only entrance to Calabar, those coming from Akwa Ibom and those come from Ogoja, Ebonyi, Enugu etc struggle to find their ways, so certainly there must always be a logjam.

“But, I can assure motorists that we are going to do everything possible to ensure that traffic becomes a lot more easier at that junction, ” he said.

The Sector Commander further condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trucks along the Highway, adding that, it would no longer be tolerated.

“Indiscriminate parking is part of the problem. Indiscriminate parking obstructs vehicular movements in Calabar and it’s environs.

“We will not condone that any longer. We are meeting with stakeholders in this regard with the view to finding an end to indiscriminate parking by heavy duty vehicles, ” he said.

He attributed incessant road accidents to poor attitude of the motoring public, and called for attitudinal change among Nigerians, particularly drivers.

According to him, over 1.3 million lives were lost to road accidents annually across the world which prompted the UN to focus this year’s campaign on “speed reduction”.

He advised Nigerians to always obey traffic rules while driving and to shun over speeding to avoid unnecessary accidents.