FRSC Calls for Integrated Safety Plan Ahead of First Niger Bridge Demarcation

The Federal Road Safety Corps has urged the Federal Government to embed emergency-response and traffic-management measures into plans for the demarcation of the First Niger Bridge, cautioning that restricting traffic to a single bridge during repair works could compromise access for rescue and recovery operations.

ACM Cyril Matthew, Zonal Commanding Officer of the RS5 Command, made the appeal at the 2026 Special Marshals Zone Conference held at the FRSC Secretariat in Awka, Anambra State. The conference was themed "Repositioning Special Marshals for Greater Impact through Strategic Partnership and Data-Driven Road Safety Intervention."

Matthew disclosed that the Corps was engaging the Federal Ministry of Works on the safety and traffic-management implications of the demarcation. He said the Corps was particularly concerned that concentrating traffic on one bridge in the event of a breakdown or crash could obstruct emergency and towing vehicles.

"We are mindful of the challenges that can arise during emergency recovery operations, particularly because some of our towing equipment weighs about 70 tonnes and requires adequate operational space to manoeuvre effectively," he said.

He described the Corps' position as advisory, intended to ensure that emergency-response considerations are integrated into the engineering and traffic-management framework rather than treated as a secondary concern.

Matthew noted that the bridge project had reached an advanced stage and would significantly enhance connectivity upon completion.