BY IFEANYI UWAGWU/JUMAI NWACHUKWU
OFFICERS attached to the Asaba zone of the Delta State Traffic Management Agency (DESTMA) have been urged to eliminate all forms of indiscipline and show commitment to the agency’s objectives and goals.
This charge was given by the agency’s Board Chairman, Chief Peter Idion, and the Director-General, Hon Benjamin Okiemute, during the zone’s inspection. The exercise marked the conclusion of their week-long tour of all zonal commands across the state.
Addressing the officers, Chief Idion urged them to demonstrate professionalism whilst at work and to refrain from any conduct that might tarnish the agency’s reputation. He emphasised the importance of embracing the ongoing transformation and rebranding process led by the board and management, to position DESTMA as the foremost traffic management agency in the country.
Echoing the sentiments of the chairman, the Director-General, Hon Okiemute, warned the officers that the era of gross indiscipline and absconding from their duty posts was over and that sanctions would be meted out to defaulters, including withholding of their allowances and non-promotion.
“The era of our officers not manning their duty posts has died a natural death as nobody would be staying at home and receiving salaries from the state government. That is fraudulent and anybody found doing so would be dealt with. If you are unable to work, kindly inform us and we will go through the necessary procedures to lay you off. We will not tolerate that here”, he warned.
He also revealed that efforts were underway to restructure the agency into a fully-fledged paramilitary outfit designed to meet its ever-expanding responsibilities. He hinted at the creation of several new departments within the organisation, pending the necessary approvals. In addition, he disclosed that a ranking system would be introduced to establish seniority and curb insubordination, thereby reinforcing discipline.
He mentioned that some officers would be deployed to the Provost Department and trained by the police to ensure discipline among officers of the agency, while others would be deployed to the Intelligence Unit and trained by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Okiemute also dissolved the existing patrol teams in the zone, stating that the overhaul was long overdue as some of the team members were deployed to the beat for over two years. He disclosed that new teams would be created soon, while also promising to refurbish damaged patrol vehicles to ensure improved service delivery.
Meanwhile, in a bid to further boost the morale of the officers, Hon Okiemute has introduced a staff of the month award for officers.
The award is in two categories for male and female officers. Mr Efe Eyere won the male category, with a prize of N50,000 attached, while Mrs Ngozi Okoh secured the female category, with a prize of N30,000.
Okiemute assured Deltans that the agency was committed to serving them better to ensure that all roads and highways in the state remain safe for motorists and other road users.
