Ogun State Head of Service, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro has said that the government remains unwavering in its determination towards ensuring effective traffic and road management.

Aigoro stated this during an official opening of a day training for the newly promoted Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) officers, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, noting that the initiative of the agency would enable it to record a hitch-free succession plan across all strata of its operatives.

The Head of Service said there is no gainsaying that effective traffic management requires skilled, disciplined, and well-trained personnel to take up higher responsibility, commending the officers for their efficient service delivery in the State’s road corridors.  

 Earlier in his keynote address, the Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga  Dairo enjoined the Corps to step up efforts towards expanding its operation to other means of transportation such as Rail, Air, and Water, which are embedded in the State’s Transport Master plan.

He said the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s resolve for TRACE is to make it a model alongside other similar institutions in developed countries, affirming that the agency has been playing an active role in the smooth running of the Pilot Bus Mass Transit launched recently, which could be seen as an example of the expanding role of TRACE.

Dairo, who doubles as the Chief Host and one of the resource persons, said officers should manage and control accidents, crashes, emergencies, and fire outbreaks, as well as ensure the safety of road users, emphasised the need for officers to have basic traffic management knowledge and skills for effective feedback, whilst having expertise at traffic control.

In his welcome address, the TRACE Corps Commander, Seni Ogunyemi stated that the agency had been rejuvenated to work 24-hour daily to maintain a free flow of traffic on the State's major roads.

Ogunyemi said the training aimed at encouraging the officers and enhancing their capacity and capability for effective service delivery, as they advance in rank and structure to carry out their tasks professionally, noting that the move would help to improve the agencies' public image status.

He lauded the effort of Prince Dapo Abiodun, for facilitating the 2018, 2019, and 2020 promotion exercises, which had inspired the workforce to be more productive, charging the officers to reciprocate the government’s gesture.

In his remark, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Adesina said information dissemination is germane in any government agency, promising that the  Ministry would continue to publicise activities of the government, particularly on traffic management, while his counterpart in the Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, emphasised the need for MDAs to include training in their annual budget.

Speaking on the theme of the training "Bridging the Contemporary Skill and Knowledge Gap in Traffic Management", the guest lecturer and Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mr. Adedayo  Somoye said Civil Servants should explore different means to acquire knowledge that would help them in their jobs, enjoining officers to leverage on the  Information and Communication Technology advantage.   

One of the participants, Commander Olabode Abdul, said the training would equip them for higher responsibilities, appreciating the agency for the worthwhile package.