Collapsed bridge: FRSC deploys100 additional personnel, logistics on Mokwa-Jebba road

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed additional 100 personnel and two heavy-duty tow trucks on the Mokwa-Jebba Road following the recent collapse of Bakino Bridge on the route.

The Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that the move was in compliance with a presidential directive to ensure free-flow of traffic on the route.

“His Excellency, the Acting President and the Minister for Works, Power and Housing were at the scene yesterday.

“The acting president gave a directive to FRSC to ensure that there is no gridlock we should ensure free-flow of traffic that we should provide support to the construction company.

“I was privileged to be at the scene also, so I have complied with the presidential directive.

“I have deployed additional 100 personnel with two 70-ton heavy duty tow trucks and two ambulances in case there is need for rescue in addition to what is on ground before.

“They need to be passing the trucks 10 per direction.

“Then those ones that are extremely over-loaded, the tow trucks will tow them off to ensure there is no gridlock there.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Bakino Bridge located in Tatabu, Niger State links the northern and western parts of the country.

The bridge collapsed on June 11 as a result of flooding occasioned by a heavy downpour in the area.

During a visit to the scene on Monday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that the construction of an alternative bridge would be completed within 14 days to ease traffic on the road.

The FRSC corps marshal said the additional deployments would remain in place until the completion and reopening of the bridge.

Meanwhile, Oyeyemi has decried the continued violations of road traffic regulations by operators of articulated trucks popularly known as trailers in the country.

He was reacting to the death of five persons in an accident involving an articulated truck and a commercial bus at Ojota in Lagos on Saturday.

Reports say the accident occurred when the truck tilted after two of its tyres lost pressure, and overturned its poorly lashed 40-foot container on the bus.

 “This is one of the MoUs we signed with the Nigeria Ports Authority that before a flatbed trailer leaves the port, it is supposed to be lashed properly.

 “But I can see there are violations, and we are going to meet NPA in respect of this.

 There is no reason why a trailer could have left the port without being properly lashed.

 “Over 20 cases were reported in the last 24 hours. The punishment is very clear and with the mobile courts sitting now, we will push for maximum punishment for offenders,’’ he said.