Enugu —Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has charged the newly recruited 200 Traffic Enforcement Bureau Cadets and their supervisors to discharge their duties with due diligence, honesty, integrity and utmost respect for the rule of law and the rights of residents of the state.

The governor also appealed to residents of the state to cooperate with the new Enforcement Cadets to ensure the success of the programme by obeying traffic laws, rules and regulations as well as respect for the officers saddled with the responsibility of the enforcement.

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, spoke during the passing out parade of the cadets at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

The governor said the repositioning of the bureau became imperative shortly upon the inception of his administration, in view of “the glaring need for a reorganisation and standardisation of the system of traffic enforcement in the state in line with extant laws.”

He added that the streamlined programme was also accentuated by persistent complaints and protests from members of the public over the activities of some people purporting to be working as traffic wardens cum revenue collectors for the state Ministry of Transport, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority as well as some local government councils in the state.

The governor explained that the state Ministry of Transport was consequently directed to reorganise the State Traffic Enforcement System in concert with some other government ministries and agencies, disclosing that “a major component of this reorganisation was the reconstitution of a properly organised State Traffic Enforcement Bureau to be manned by well-trained personnel to handle the enforcement of traffic and related matters in Enugu State.”

Earlier in his welcome address, state Commissioner for Transport, Vitus Okechi, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his efforts towards the actualisation of his four-point agenda to entrench good governance, enhance rural development, provide infrastructure and empower the youths, stating that his administration has done a lot in the transport sector.

Hon. Okechi charged the new cadets to go out and discharge their duties diligently with the fear of God and called on the public to cooperate with the officers and “desist from giving any form of cash or bride to any officer when an offence is committed”.

In his remark, the Commissioner of Police, described the exercise as another important event aimed at enhancing the security of the state as well as ensuring free flow of traffic on the roads.

He advised the new Cadets and their Supervisors to handover offenders to the police for prosecution and avoid any form of corrupt practice in the discharge of their duties.