By; Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has directed management of the State Road Traffic Agency (BAROTA), to apply mercy and leniency in the implementation of its mandate of safer roads in the State.
The Governor gave the directive on Monday when he commissioned and handed over Two heavy duty vehicles and one Ambulance to the Agency at the premises of the Government. House.
Bala Mohammed though, commended the operations of the Agency within a short period of its establishment, opined that it needs to introduce human face in the implementation of the mandate.
According to him, “You know I have ears to the ground, there are complaints of hard imposition of fines on offenders, please, be soft on them, engage them in education and Enlightenment, make them understand the laws.”
He stressed that, “Though ignorance of the law is not an excuse, you need to engage them in advocacy, you don’t have to use force on them, especially the villagers who do not understand what your roles are.”
Bala Mohammed also praised the BAROTA Marshalls for ensuring free flow of traffic in all the markets across the State saying that he is impressed with the reports he is getting on the situation.
The Governor said that,”You operate as if you are more than the number we commissioned, I am impressed but, please, engage more on advocacy so that people will understand and appreciate your relevance and importance on the roads.”
He then charged the BAROTA Management to utilize the vehicles for the purpose they are meant for assuring that his administration will continue to support it to excel.
Speaking earlier, Director General of BAROTA, Air Commodore Tijjani Baba Gamawa (Rtd) said that the Agency need the vehicles to complete its fleet of operational vehicles.
He commended the Governor for the tremendous support given the Agency which he said has done well to enable it operate with little or no much hindrances.
The BAROTA DG also disclosed that the Governor has approved recruiting more personnel before the end of the year 2025 in order to enhance its operation and presence across the State.
Leaderships of NURTW, RTEAN and Market Association praised the Governor for establishing BAROTA saying that it has brought some sanity to the transport sector of the State especially issue of crowded and blocked streets.
