By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is clearing the gridlock caused by protesting truck drivers on Wednesday along the Gir-Gwagwalada Road.

The FRSC Sector Commander, FCT command, Mr Felix Theman, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the corps has created an alternative lane for all motorist to use before the final clearance is done.

“As of this morning, we have been able to create one lane for smaller vehicles and buses to pass, while efforts are ongoing to decongest the area fully.

“We are restricting movement on the single lane to smaller vehicles and buses to reduce the tension in the area before reopening to larger trucks,” he said.

Therman said that the traffic gridlock was caused by protesting truck drivers who used their vehicles to block the highway.

Theman said that the incident, which began on Wednesday, dragged into the night and extended into Thursday.

According to him, the FRSC quickly mobilised its men from Gwagwalada, Zuba, and the outpost in Giri, alongside other security agencies, to appeal to the drivers and restored order.

“After much persuasion, the trucks were eventually removed late on Wednesday night.

“However, the delay in clearing the road had already caused serious traffic congestion, which spilled over into the next morning.

“To make matters worse, two trucks also broke down on the same road after it was reopened,’’ he said.

Theman appealed to road users to exercise patience, discipline, and cooperation in order to resolve the matter quickly.

“This is an isolated incident. Our men and other security services are on ground to ensure the road is made accessible to the public.

On the cause of the protest, the FRSC boss explained that it was triggered by an altercation involving one of the truck owners.

“One of the truck drivers used his vehicle to block the road following an altercation. Other drivers, in solidarity, joined him without even asking what the issue was.

“Members of the public tried to appeal to them that blocking the road does not solve their problem but only infringes on the fundamental rights of other Nigerians who have freedom of movement,” he said.

Theman said that such acts were illegal and causes hardship to travellers, adding that the FRSC and other security agencies had restored order.

“Our men are fully on ground to ensure this matter doesn’t drag on for too long. So, we appeal to everyone to exercise restraint and patience,” he said.(NAN)