EDSTMA to set up Traffic Security Radio Station Soon- MD Dennis Oloriegbe

By Mercy Onyenweli

The Managing Director, of Edo State Traffic Management Agency, Mr Dennis Oloriegbe has revealed that the agency has proposed a Traffic Security Radio Station which if approved by the Government would help to checkmate most of the challenges traffic officers and road users experience on the road in Benin City.

Mr. Dennis who stated this while addressing Executive and members of Nigeria Union of Journalists who were in a courtesy visit in his office in Benin City lamented over the attacks his officers had received from some Radio Station in the State over traffic issues.

According to him, some of the analysis on Radio tends to be bias as Alleged accusations on EDTSMA Officers are not adequately verified before presenting it to the public.

He noted that despite so much effort put in place to rebrand Edo State Traffic Management agency by engaging graduates who are more flexible to direct , Commercial and private drivers still don’t abide by traffic rules.

He stressed that experience with commercial drivers have proven that most of them are not trained , but find themselves driving to make ends meet. He further said that to reduce the crisis officers usually have with Drivers breaking traffic rules, the Agency has set up Drivers Training Center in their office complex and are also ready to replicate same training academy in Edo Central and Edo Edo North Senatorial District where intending drivers can be trained on how to use the roads.

Speaking further, he commended the Festus Alenkhe’s administration for the immense support the agency has received from members of the Union.

He assured the NUJ Leadership of continuous collaboration for the general good of Edo State.

Speaking Earlier, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe applauded the agency for reducing traffic challenges in the State.

Comrade Festus Alenkhe noted that since the Managing Director’s assumption to office, Traffic Management has been rebranded from thuggerry methods to more civil approaches in resolving traffic issues on the roads in Edo State.

“We recognize EDSTMA as one of the foremost paramilitary agency in Edo State that has worked tirelessly to reduce traffic related issues on our roads, we understand that majority of your workers are all graduates and the way and manner they approach offenders are civil enough unlike what it used to be in time past”.

He however assured the Managing Director of EDSTMA that the Union has modalities in place to checkmate Journalists who don’t balance their reports before publishing as such Newsmen if reported to the union are bound to face disciplinary committee .

He also, further thanked the MD for always rescuing Journalists who sometimes out of the pressure to meet up with deadlines beat traffic rules and reaffirmed his commitment to always ensure Journalists do the right thing.