Human rights lawyer and philanthropist, Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN) has commended the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for establishing the Edo State Traffic Control and Management Agency (EDSTMA), describing the agency as “refined”.
Afolabi made the commendation at the EDSTMA headquarters in Benin City during the agency’s annual parade competition and thanksgiving/awards ceremony held on Wednesday, 3 January 2024, while honouring six officers of EDTSMA with awards for their dedication to duty as well as their leadership characters that stood them out on duty in 2023.
The senior lawyer described EDSTMA as “a refined transport control agency in Edo State”, saying it was for that reason that he has “been supporting them for the past seven years”.
“I commend them, and I commend Comrade Obaseki for establishing the Agency, because it’s not what it used to be. They have done well, but they should do more. There’s still room for greatness,” he said.
Barrister Afolabi used the opportunity to call on other stakeholders to partner and support EDSTMA to enable the Agency perform better.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Managing Director of EDSTMA, Mr. Dennis Oloriegbe, noted that it has become part of the culture of the Agency to identify and honour with awards some members of the public who support and identify with the EDSTMA in different ways that help to improve the performance of the Agency in traffic management in the state. He said both those who commend EDSTMA and those who criticize the Agency are all partners in progress with EDTSMA as their actions continue to help the Agency to improve it its service delivery to the public.
Mr. Oloriegbe noted that 80% of the materials needed by the Agency to carry out effective traffic control in Benin metropolis and environs had been made available by the proactive Edo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Godwin Obaseki. He, however, added that “…in traffic management, manpower and materials are not always enough, so we still crave the indulgence of the state Government to add more to our fleet –and we’re expecting more, especially in this 2024, we know a lot of things will be done by the State Government…”
Some of the members of the public who received awards from EDSTMA include the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council, Festus Alenkhe; the MD of John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Precious Imuwahen Ajoonu; the General Manager of Faith Motors, Mr. Godwin Oigbochie; Mr. Efe Osafomwan of Man-Around-Town on ITV/Radio; amongst other awardees.
