The Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) has become aware of an online news publication by one Fatai Ahmed of The National Pilot, which claims that negligence and delay in response on the part of the Authority caused the death of a victim in an auto crash at Offa Garage roundabout.
While we acknowledged that traffic management and safety is a collective responsibility, and that the media plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of lives and properties on our roads, we urge media platforms such as The National Pilot and others to be professional, fair, and unbiased in their reportage. This is especially important when it involves agencies and institutions that provide humanitarian services to the public, often putting themselves in danger and facing hazards daily in order to maintain traffic orderliness and enhance the socioeconomic activities of the state.
To clarify the facts, the auto crash in question involved an unidentified truck with a mechanical brake failure on Offa Garage road at approximately 13:15 hour on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023.
As a result of the proactive and strategic nature of our dedicated personnel, who cover a wide area of the metropolis, we immediately contacted the Rescue team upon receiving the distress call. The team promptly arrived at the crash scene. Unfortunately, upon arrival, they were met with aggression from a crowd who wrongly assumed that our purpose was solely to tow the affected truck away. The crowd was incited by unruly motorcycle riders who have frequently clashed with Kwartma due to their constant violation of traffic rules and subsequent apprehensions. This incident mirrored the behavior during the Sango incident mentioned as well in the National Pilot report. In light of the threats to their safety, our officers had to withdraw from the scene. It should be noted that the victim of the crash was not trapped beneath the truck, as no such victim was found when the truck was eventually recovered, Kwartma would like to appeal to The National Pilot not to drag our name into their political battles for prominence in our beloved state of Harmony. As a government agency, the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority has already received the generous attention of our Governor. This was exemplified by the recent presentation of Three brand new patrol vehicles to enhance our ability to provide effective service.
Furthermore, the claim of mismanagement of funds is unfounded as all our operational vehicles are fully fueled, well-maintained, and on the road as operationally practicable. The process of staff promotion is being addressed by the appropriate authority and is proceeding in accordance with established procedures.
The CEO has ensured that no staff encourages negotiation of fines as ticket is booked according to fine allotted in line with the fine and offence code that is recognized by the traffic regulation.
All fines are therefore paid into the government coffers via the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service. The Authority is run with monthly subvention from the State Government which takes care of fuelling, office and vehicle maintenance and other logistics.
Finally, the CEO of Kwartma, CRTO Akeem Adegboye, wishes to assure the public that the Agency is always ready to respond promptly whenever the need arises.
