Group pay courtesy visit to DESTMA DG,Essien,announces collaboration program on road sensitization in Udu,Warri, Uvwie and Ughelli

A group,Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancements (ISRCA)nationwide led by its National Coordinator,Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen on Friday, paid a courtesy visit to Director-General, Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Hon. Dr. Benjamin Okiemute Essien and Management of the agency just as it commended him for the efforts it has made so far to curb traffic excesses on our roads, considering the many negative attitudes of motorists plying the roads in Delta State. The group also announced a road collaboration programme on road sensitization in Udu, Warri, Uvwie and Ughelli. 

The group said it noticed that a lot of people are unaware of traffic offenses and the fines. 

In address,the group said,'We are glad to have you and want to unambiguously promise our cooperation to work with you and ensure the rights of Deltans are not violated by officials under your sagacious leadership."

The group said,"We want to bring to your notice the issues affecting Deltans regarding DESTMA's operations across the state, first as it relates to fines on defaulters suspected of having committed traffic offenses, where their vehicles are immediately impounded, while suspected offenders are most times unable to raise money to meet the demand, which has become an unrealistic mirage.

"Secondly, we have also received complaints from members of the public regarding the poor attitudes and conduct of task force officials at traffic points and along major roads, citing concerns where a pregnant woman and a child were towed with a towing van while they were inside the car, along with other incidents where DESTMA officials were involved in dragging the steering wheel with drivers while the vehicle was in motion.

"Again, we’ve noticed that apart from the Ugboroke junction along Airport road in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, there are no other places where traffic lights and signals are used, apart from some locations here in Asaba, as the absence of these traffic lights and signals will not only affect the attitudes of motorists but also hinder the operations of DESTMA."

According to the group,"As a voice to the voiceless, we are saddled with the responsibility of protecting these rights as enshrined in and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. We also want to draw your attention to setting up a monitoring team to checkmate the activities of your men across the roads and also a quarterly training and retraining exercises, ensuring human rights are protected.

"Furthermore, we are obliged to inform you that the leadership of ISRCA, as part of our mission, has decided to partner with genuine individuals like you in searching for a practical and lasting solution to the numerous challenges concerning traffic management in Delta State and Nigeria at large. 

"While we hail the Delta State Government, led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his giant stride especially in infrastructure projects, in subsequent months, we want to use this medium to announce a collaborative program on a road sensitization program in Udu, Warri, Uvwie and Ughelli, as we have noticed that a lot of people are unaware of traffic offenses and the fines. 

"We also urge your office to review certain traffic violations and the fines attached.''

On his part, DESTMA DG, Hon.(Dr.) Benjamin Okiemute Essien commended the group stating that they had never experienced such a positive interaction, as they did today, upon hearing our complaints and presentation. 

The DG emphasized the intricacies of traffic management in Delta State and also highlighted some challenges faced by the agency.

He shared with us most of the unfair and inhumane treatment given to their task force (marshal) by unsuspecting members of the public, both in behaviour and approach, stating that most women are majorly offenders with questionable behaviour outside tricycle riders and other private vehicle owners.

The Director General also gave an insight into how the fines for offenders were stipulated.

He stated that the laws were domesticated from other sister agencies and were gazetted into law by the Delta State House of Assembly, while fines from offenders are paid directly into the coffers of the Delta State Government and not into personal bank accounts.

The DG also charged the group to report DESTMA task force marshals suspected to receive fines from offenders into personal bank accounts. 

The meeting ended collaboratively, with the Director-General presenting a complimentary award plaque to the National Coordinator on behalf of the group.