ISRCA Visits DESTMA DG, Seeks Partnership

By Daniel Dafe

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancements (ISRCA) on Friday led members of the Initiative for Social Rights Concerns and Advancements (ISRCA) nationwide on a courtesy visit to the Director-General, Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Hon. Dr. Benjamin Okiemute Essien, in Asaba.

Speaking during the visit, Agberen said the meeting became necessary considering reports received from the public regarding the operations of DESTMA and the activities of its task force (marshal) in Warri, Udu, Uvwie, Ughelli South and North Local Government Areas.

He said the reports which centre on conducts, exorbitant fines for traffic offenses, inadequate traffic control systems (lights and signals) and the need for constant sensitization of the public and training/retraining of task force officers.

Continuing, ISRCA commended the efforts of DESTMA made so far to curb traffic excesses, considering the many negative attitudes of motorists plying roads in the state.

“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,” he added.

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He continued: “Again, we have 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.

“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.”

Responding, the Director General commended them and the request put before the agency, stating that they had never experienced such a positive interaction, they got from the visitors.

Responding to their complaints and presentation, the DG emphasized the intricacies of traffic management in the state and also highlighted some challenges faced by the agency.

He shared with the group 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 gave insight into how the fines for offenders were stipulated, stating 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.

However, the Director-General charged the rights group to report DESTMA task force marshals suspected to receive fines from offenders into personal bank accounts.

Furthermore, the Director-General presented a complimentary award plaque to the National Coordinator on behalf of the group.