Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday threatened to prosecute any erring Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) official, just as he charged members of the outfit to make integrity their watchword in the discharge of their duties.
The governor said this while launching the newly-kitted OYRTMA cadets at the Agodi Secretariat in Ibadan.
While addressing officers of the organization, Ajimobi said reports reaching him were to the effect that some of the officials were in the habit of demanding and collecting bribes from hapless commuters.
The governor warned them against involving themselves in bribery or any form of corrupt practice capable of tarnishing the image of the agency, stating that any official caught will not only be disengaged by government, but would be handed to security operatives.
"You will continue to have our support as long as you are honest and you don't take bribe. If you are caught, we will not only relieve you of your duty, we will also prosecute you. We want the people of Oyo State to respect your organization, and they can only do this if you don't take bribe from them and you display integrity,'' he said.
The governor reiterated his administration's commitment to supporting the agency to ensure effective enforcement of traffic laws and maintenance of security on the roads.
Governor Ajimobi, who observed that the traffic management was one of the major problems confronting the state, stressed that the presence of OYRTMA officials on the road would check flagrant disregard to traffic laws.
He also charged the organization to work in collaboration with relevant security agencies such as the police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and "Operation Burst'' for effective training and performance of the officials.
While commending the agency for the level of enforcement of traffic laws so far, the governor also charged it to improve on its revenue generation.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of OYRTMA, Col. Tayo Ishola (rtd.), said that a total of 131 YES-O Cadets had been recruited into the agency, comprising 96 men and 35 women, with 68 on Grade Level 06, 24 on Grade Level 07 and 39 on Grade Level 08.
He also appealed to the governor to grant approval for the recruitment of additional 120 cadets to enable the outfit extend its services to some local governments.
Via: Oyo State Government - Official Press Release