Re: Day Google Maps ‘misled’ me into python’s den

The management of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) has taken time to study the above back page publication of Daily Trust Newspaper of Wednesday December 15, 2021,  in which the writer narrated his experience with the officers of the Directorate, AYA Command. The writer made particular reference to a lady whose picture he […]

The management of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) has taken time to study the above back page publication of Daily Trust Newspaper of Wednesday December 15, 2021,  in which the writer narrated his experience with the officers of the Directorate, AYA Command. The writer made particular reference to a lady whose picture he painted in a manner that she could have discussed with her lawyer to file for abuse, if not for the fact that the damage was done to her under her official toga.

This apart, what provoked the members of the management was the mention of writing in a duplicate sheet which is one of the serious offences any personnel of the directorate can commit and for many in the management, it was believed that head was about to roll when management called for all the documentation for the period mentioned to be brought to the headquarters of the Directorate at Mabushi.

If the writer had reported to the headquarters which is what we always encourage members of the public to do, he would have been in a better position to assist the investigating team to unravel the mystery as the team has not been able to see where duplicate copies were used to book any offender, not just the writer.

The present leadership in the directorate emphasises on zero tolerance to corruption and can do anything to make anyone found culpable to regret involving himself/herself in such unprofessional conduct.

Already, the lady involved is being held for failing to conduct her duties with resoluteness and firmness; her inability to follow strictly the operational procedure of the directorate as stipulated in its operational code. The offence in question – driving against traffic—is  like one going on a suicide mission. What the regulation stipulates is for the offender to go for emotional evaluation. When his emotional stability is ascertained by a psychiatrist, then he will go on two weeks training on traffic regulations. 

As if not enough, the offender will still be made to part with some money as fine for the offence. All these were the things the lady either she felt she was performing her official function with human face or she deliberately denied government and the society the opportunity to correct one who is not fit to do certain things in the society.

One may be thinking of what the officer thought she stood to gain for failing to apply the law, she as an officer of the law is supposed to wield the power given to her by law. Of course, there is no doubt that humans, especially in Africa, remain their brothers’ keeper. The painful aspect is that even the person she thought she was ‘protecting’ happened to be the one to crucify her and based on the judgment of the same person, the office is not looking at her as a dedicated officer.

This brings to question, the place of a VIO in contemporary Nigeria. The officer is charged with the mandate which even the society itself sees as a daunting task but he is seen as a masquerade that is feared and at the same time vilified by the same society that gave him the mandate. 

At a time, the directorate saw their situation as that of poor communication, a lot was done and is still being done to redirect its footsteps by coming up with strong communication strategies which many have in one way or the other expressed satisfaction at the steps taken likewise its efforts in meeting up with the pace of information technology which is evidenced in its ability to make motorists to avail themselves of the services of the directorate at the comfort of their homes and at the same time plug every financial loophole.

The idea of describing his experience as not only ‘corruption’ but ‘python’ which according to him is deceptive and patient, but when it constricts a person, including its owner would leave the person dead does not arise. The writer would have done the society better by reporting what he considered as his observation to the management of the directorate which majority, including the leadership of the administration in FCTA in recent times, will testify had done so well in every area, unlike what obtained in the past.

The present management has taken every necessary disciplinary measure as specified by the Public Service Rule to checkmate activities of the unscrupulous ones among them. Moves are being made to go beyond the provisions in the statute books to ensure greater sanity in the directorate and the only way members of the society can assist in getting the best from the directorate is not to go to the court of public opinion but to sit side by side to sort out issues of this nature.

While we commend the writer for speaking out, it would have yielded much more result if he had come closer to see the action being taken to forestall it repeating any other time. To jaw-jaw has always been a better approach to resolving issues and not going physical.  In the same vein, every stakeholder is supposed to learn some of the mandates of the directorate, if not all, so as to know when to shout, “crucify them.”

Kalu Emetu, Head Public Relations Unit, VIO, Abuja