Ekiti Moves To Stop Road Accidents

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, inspecting a Guard-of-Honour, during the passing out parade for the State's Traffic Management Agency (ESTMA), in Ise-Ekiti on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 Ekiti moves to stop road accidents as State Traffic Management Agency begins operation.

Apparently poised to curb cases of avoidable accidents, the Ekiti State Government has rounded off training for newly recruited field officers of the State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA).

Speaking at Ise-Orun-Emure Ekiti, on Thursday at the passing out parade of 300 field officers of the Agency, the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the newly trained officers are expected to ensure commuters comply with traffic rules and regulations so as to prevent cases of road accidents.

The Governor who described the agency as “an agent of the rule of law, a guard shepherd, conductor, teacher, manager and above all the image of the government” challenged them to increase the effectiveness of traffic management and control for efficient transport service.

Fayemi expressed optimism that the agency was up to the task of facing the traffic challenges on Ekiti roads given the trainings they had received; adding that the traffic situation of the state could be harnessed to improve the socio-economic development of the State and positively impart on the lives of the people.

“The various activities and lectures you have been exposed to are necessary to prepare and equip you for the herculean task ahead. They are for the purpose of controlling traffic and enforcing State and National laws that govern the safe use of vehicles on roads in Ekiti State, deterring and apprehending road offenders, conducting highly visible day and night traffic patrols to ensure traffic rules and regulations, reducing the incidence and severity of road traffic accidents”,he said.

While urging them to be patriotic, committed, loyal and show genuine concern for road users, the Governor advised that they should brace up and rise to the occasion because the burden of ensuring effective traffic management and control was on their shoulders.

Fayemi however reiterated his administration’s disgust for corruption, saying that any of the officials of the Agency caught in any act of corruption would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“You are therefore advised to leave above board and shun corruption in all ramifications, rather to be positively and productively engaged at all times because the idle hand is the devil’s workshop”.

He assured that his administration would continue to train and re-train officers of the agency and equip them with necessary logistics to effectively discharge their duties.

In his remarks, ESTMA General Manager, Mr. Charles Fasuba, said the field officers would begin work in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, next Wednesday to attend to the recent heavy traffic jam that now characterize the state capital while others would be deployed to Ikere and Omuo, which are gateway towns in the state.

Fasuba added that within the next 21 days, the agency would have rid the state of traffic problems which it now faces.

At the passing out parade were Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Chief Adetunji Orisalade,Ekiti State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Sola Adebayo, Caretaker Chairman of Emure local Government, Mr. Tosin Olotu, his Ise-Orun local government counterpart, Mr. Femi Ajayi, traditional rulers as well as Service Chiefs.

Last modified: March 1, 2012