The International Traffic Observation Initiative has called for a comprehensive restructuring of the Federal Capital Territory Directorate of Road Traffic Services (FCT DRTS) to ensure improved efficiency.
Country representative of the initiative, Arogundade Olaosebikan Emmanuel, highlighted the pressing need for reforms during a roundtable discussion held in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The focus of the meeting revolved around the declining standards of traffic management and related issues attributed to the FCT DRTS.
Emmanuel emphasised that the DRTS had deviated from its constitutional mandate, transforming into a revenue generation agency instead of fulfilling its core responsibilities such as standard vehicle inspection and traffic control.
The organisation’s credibility has been undermined due to the appointment of inexperienced and unprofessional personnel, leading to a dent in its reputation.
While Dr. Lateef Bello, the newly appointed director, has been striving to enhance operational efficiency, concerns have been raised regarding the advice he has received in making appointments.
An internal intelligence assessment of the DRTS revealed a glaring lack of fair representation in key positions, neglecting the principles of Federal character.
It has come to light that individuals from a single geopolitical zone currently hold leadership positions in crucial departments including administration, finance, public relations, and enlightenment.
This disparity must be addressed for a more balanced and inclusive organizational structure.
Furthermore, the DRTS has failed in effectively supervising its Area Command components, leading to the employment of touts as casual workers.
These individuals are notorious for their unruly and indecent behavior, without any proper checks in place.
Consequently, vital services provided by the directorate, such as the issuance of number plates and driver’s licenses, have become vulnerable to malpractice, with touts engaging in fraudulent activities resulting in counterfeit vehicle documentation.
As a new administration prepares to be inaugurated on Monday, urgent action is required to restructure the directorate in order to improve its overall efficiency.
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