ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Vincent Uduaghan has attributed the reason for handing over the running of Delta State Transport Company, Delta Line to administrative abnormalities and the need to serve Deltans better.
Mr Uduaghan made this known at the ongoing Ministerial press briefing when he presented the activities and achievements of the ministry before Journalists at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information, Asaba.
He said that the former administrators of the transport company were unable to manage the company effectively, saying they could not justify government’s huge investment in the company and owed salaries of staff for over four months, adding that the new partnership with God is Good Motor Transport Company would reposition the Delta Line more effectively.
On traffic light, the commissioner stated that his Ministry would enforce and enlighten traffic management officers for proper implementation of traffic laws, adding that the state government was considering increasing the salaries of staff by 35% to motivate them in carrying out their responsibility.
He stressed that members of the public play major role in encouraging bribery and corruption among traffic management officers by not giving to them token to cover up for their offence but not abiding by the traffic rules and ensure that payments for offences were made in the bank.
The Transport Commissioner apologized for the inconvenience caused by corrupt officers in their discharge of duties and assured that the Ministry of Transportation would ensure that it draw out measures to curb the act of criminality in the discharge of duties in Asaba, Warri and other areas of the state.
The Commissioner however appealed to members of the public to stop promoting corrupt practices by being ready to be sanctioned for their wrongs, saying, “There should not be any financial transaction with DESTMA officials, If you are booked, go to the bank to pay, do not give DESTMA money”, he stressed, requesting those with proof of corruption in against DESTMA officials to come forward.
He appealed to motorists and other road users to be law abiding and desist from acts of impunity, advising, “Let us obey our traffic laws to help our system. If you cannot drive against traffic elsewhere, do not do it here. We are not sleeping in our responsibility on traffic control. We will continue with enlightenment and enforcement.”
The Commissioner also spoke on the ban on Motorcycle, popularly called Okada” saying the State Government had commenced clamping down on motorcyclists flouting the ban in Asaba, Warri and Effurun, saying the ban came into force since November 4, 2012, adding that recently over 44 were impounded in warri and Effurun and 15 in Asaba.
“The State Government does not want to see motorcycles in those towns”, he said, adding, “They use them for criminal acts. We will continue to impound them until they stop driving.”
On the malfunctioning and inadequate traffic light in strategic junctions in the State, the Commissioner hinted that contracted had been award lights at Refinery Road, Jakpa Road in Effurun and DBS Junction in Asaba, among other locations.
Mr Uduaghan clarified that his Ministry was not responsible for the generation of revenue to the state government but serves as an instrument of revenue generation.
He also noted that he was not aware that building structures erected in the mechanic village were being sold out but that it was a private venture, saying the state government only provided the enabling environment for the project.
The Catholic Diocese of Warri led by its Bishop, Most Rev. John Afareha, Priests, religious and the entire laity of the church have called on the Government of the Federation to put an end to the senseless killings in all parts of the Country.
Bishop Afareha, who led a peaceful prayer procession to the Governor’s Office Annex, Warri said that the Diocese together with the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria stood in solidarity with the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State to mourn and pray for the souls of Frs. Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and seventeen (17) other victims of herdsmen attack in Mbalom and all part of the country.
The Catholic Bishop added that the growing sense of fear, uncertainty and insecurity in the country was both palpable and unacceptable, saying, “We cannot take to arms to defend ourselves but we can arm ourselves with prayer and voice out our displeasure to the Government, and we challenge them to rise up to their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the life and property of all Nigerians everywhere and at all times.”
Speaking further the Cleric said: “Through this peaceful, prayerful procession/demonstration we condemn in unequivocal terms the incessant and senseless killings in all parts of our country.”
He reiterated on the sanctity of human life, adding that every life was sacred irrespective of tribe, creed or political affiliations, and should be cherished and protected by all.
The most Rev. John Afareha enjoined the Government to deploy its machinery without complicity to stop the bloodletting and killings in our land, and bring to justice the enemies of peace and save Nigeria from anarchy and disintegration.
The procession was received by Mr Nelson Emiro, an Assistant Director in the Governor’s Office, Government House Annex, Warri on behalf of the Director of the office Mr Sunday Ukujere who promised to forward the letter to the appropriate quarter.
