The Director General of Delta State Traffic Management Authority DESTMA, Hon. Dr. Benjamin Essien Okiemute, has made public his achievements and impactful performance since he assumed office a year ago.
He made the disclosure at a press conference held in Asaba, Delta State.
See full statement below:
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY/ PRESS CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY HON.(Dr.) B.E OKIEMUTE. N .N . RTD.(FNIIS)
DESTMA’s State Prior to My Assumption of office:
DESTMA prior to my assumption, had gotten two Directors General and before my assumption of office, DESTMA had no DG but simply overseen by the Directors and supervised by the Directorate of Transport.
State of Infrastructure, Staff morale and Discipline:
The Authority was faced with poor state of infrastructure, diminished officer’s morale and discipline of work force was at its lowest ebb. The Authority had two functional operation patrol vehicles and tow trucks domiciled in Asaba zonal Command. The other Commands of Agbor, Sapele, Ughelli had no vehicle; while Udu, Warri and Effurun had rickety vehicles that spent more time at motor mechanic workshop than on the road.
Achievements thus far on my assumption:
On assumption of office, I and the Board Chairman, board members alongside with the Directors embark on a robust action plan to optimize the Authority’s relative large workforce to achieve the full potential of DESTMA as set out by those who crafted the enabling Law to achieve its functions contained therein:
Some of the modest achievement made thus far are highlighted below:
i). Public Awareness Campaign and Sensitization on Road Traffic Rules and Regulation;
ii). Restructuring / Reorganization of DESTMA Staff and Patrol Teams;
iii). Repair / Maintenance of Patrol Vehicles and Tow Trucks (30Ton and 90Ton Tow Trucks);
iv). Creation of DESTMA Provost Unit, Intelligent Unit and DESTMA Marshal;
v). Number of vehicles impounded during enforcement/ operation is 4,328 for the year 2025 and the cases were dispensed through mobile court and waivers were honoured;
vi). Revenue Generation for the period of one year, that is 4th December, 2024 till date is N110, 885,500.00 (One Hundred and Ten Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only) giving rise to a percentage increase of 273%;
vii). Tremendous improvement on free flow of Vehicular Traffic across the State through the tireless effort of DESTMA officers leading to minimal Man Hour loss on the road;
viii). Safety of lives and Properties on Delta State Roads as a result of lesser accidents on the roads attributed to the activities of DESTMA and collaboration from other Sister Agencies such as the Police, F.R.S.C e.t.c
ix). Staff Audit ordered by His Excellency to screen out ghost workers within officers and men of DESTMA; that is those that have absconded from duty and also to know the total strength of officers and Men and to see where Government can facilitate future recruitment of officers and men;
x). Maintenance of existing physical structures; Zonal offices, Impound Lots and DESTMA Hall;
xi). Acquisition of Vehicles/Refurbishing of non – functional DESTMA Patrol Vehicles in the Zones and provide for zonal Commands that were not having any vehicle;
xii). Construction and Installation of a quarter guard stand and Hoisting of Nigeria Flag, DESTMA Flag and State/Party Flag;
xiii). Provision of a Sienna Vehicle for the Provost Unit which serves as quick response to emergency where DESTMA officers are under attack. It also serves as a routine check of all zonal Commands for discipline, mode of dressing, mode of operation in the various commands;
xiv). Creation of a whistle blower line in case there are complaints from the public and the Phone number is 09052598510
xv). for the year under review, we have received over 45 calls through the whistle blower line and all issues were addressed to the satisfaction of the people or the complainants;
xvi). Introduction of Awards to deserving DESTMA officers and men across the 7 Zonal Commands who have distinguished themselves in their line of duty;
xvii). We have reshaped the outlook of our officers and Men before the Public in terms of mode of dressing, civility and interacting with the public;
xviii). Creation and furnishing of conference hall for DESTMA meetings and conferences;
xix). Introduction of routine Pep Talks on Mondays and Thursdays to help officers feel more enthusiastic and courageous while performing their duties. It is expected to energize the officers for work. Pep talks can provide comfort, hope, direction or vitality when officers feel stuck;
xx). Proposed creation of DESTMA Band Unit and Advocacy Unit;
xxi). Initiation of process to effect amendment to DESTMA law;
xxii). Initiation of process to transit DESTMA from civil service salary structure and mode of operation to full paramilitary;
xxiii) Initiation of process to accommodate more Heads in DESTMA Budget to facilitate expansion of DESTMA operations.
Thank you.
