BY JUMAI NWACHUKWU/ONYINYE IKEMEFUNA
In a bid to enhance road safety and ensure stricter compliance with traffic regulations, the Director-General of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Hon. Benjamin Okiemute has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in enforcing traffic rules. This collaboration aims to address the growing concerns of traffic violations, road congestion, and accidents across the state.
Hon. Okiemute made the announcement when he visited the sister agencies alongside the Chairman of the Board and members of DESTMA in Asaba yesterday.
Hon. Okiemute outlined the objectives of the partnership.
According to him, the initiative was a significant step towards achieving a safer and more orderly transportation system in Delta State, stressing that the combined efforts of the three agencies would create a formidable force to curb reckless driving, reduce harassment of officers by traffic offenders, reduce road crashes, and promote adherence to traffic laws.
He noted that the collaboration would involve joint patrols, coordinated enforcement operations, and the deployment of personnel to critical areas prone to traffic violations.
The DG highlighted the need for a unified approach to ensure effective enforcement and foster a culture of discipline among road users.
The partnership will also focus on raising public awareness about traffic enforcement, with plans to organize face to face sensitization targeting drivers, traffic users and pedestrians.
Hon. Okiemute, while applauding the agencies, also appealed to FRSC for the training and retraining of DESTMA officers in different areas to enable them have a good sense of approach while working on the field.
In his remarks, the Board Chairman of DESTMA, Chief Peter Idion, said the aim of the visits was to establish interdepartmental relationships between the sister agencies to cooperate in enforcing traffic rules in the state.
Chief Idion applauded the agency’s for their support in ensuring that DESTMA officers are trained in various aspects, to ensure road users have access to safe environments and smooth running of the affairs of DESTMA.
“The partnership is expected to commence fully within the first quarter of 2025, with pilot operations set to begin in high-traffic areas.
DESTMA assured the public of professionalism and fairness in the implementation of the initiative, emphasizing that all enforcement activities will be carried out in line with the law.”
In his remarks, the Delta State Commandant of the NSCDC, Cdr. Mathew Ovie, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to the partnership.
He highlighted that the NSCDC, with its constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, wss well-positioned to support DESTMA’s efforts.
According to him, ensuring order on the roads is a collective responsibility, and this collaboration presents a valuable opportunity to enhance public safety across Delta State.
Similarly, the Delta State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Cdr. Fredrick Ogidan, commended the initiative, describing it as both timely and essential.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would lead to significant improvements in traffic management, ease road congestion, and ultimately save lives, noting that the synergy between the agencies is poised to deliver commendable results that will benefit all road users.
While emphasizing the importance of compliance, he urged motorists and other road users to adhere to traffic regulations and cooperate with enforcement officers to ensure the initiative’s success.
