(DDM) – Traffic management in Delta State received a significant boost on Tuesday as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori unveiled newly acquired and refurbished operational vehicles for the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) and formally inaugurated the agency’s Intelligence and Provost Units.
The governor was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, who performed the unveiling and inauguration at the DESTMA Headquarters in Asaba.
Agofure described the development as a major step toward strengthening traffic control, enforcement, and safety across the state.
He emphasized that the Delta State Government remains committed to building an efficient and modern transport management system.
According to him, DESTMA and the Ministry of Transport operate with a shared vision and coordinated strategy.
He said the two institutions function as one body in advancing the state’s transportation and mobility agenda.
The commissioner noted that the newly acquired and refurbished vehicles would significantly enhance DESTMA’s operational capacity.
He explained that improved fleet mobility would allow traffic officers to respond faster to incidents and enforce regulations more effectively.
Agofure added that the inauguration of the Intelligence and Provost Units marked a new phase in traffic governance in the state.
He said the Intelligence Unit would strengthen information gathering, monitoring, and proactive surveillance of traffic activities.
The Provost Unit, he explained, would focus on internal discipline, professionalism, and adherence to operational standards within DESTMA.
According to the commissioner, these measures are designed to improve compliance with traffic laws and reduce road accidents.
He stressed that discipline among traffic officers is as important as discipline among road users.
Agofure warned that the state government would not tolerate misconduct, indiscipline, or abuse of authority by traffic personnel.
He urged DESTMA officers to see the new tools as a call to higher responsibility rather than intimidation.
The Director General of DESTMA, Hon. Benjamin Okiemute, said the initiatives align with the agency’s reform agenda.
Okiemute explained that DESTMA is shifting from reactive traffic control to proactive traffic intelligence and enforcement.
He noted that the Intelligence Unit would help the agency anticipate traffic challenges before they escalate.
He said improved coordination would lead to quicker responses to congestion, accidents, and violations.
The DESTMA boss added that the Provost Unit would ensure professionalism and ethical conduct among officers.
He stated that enforcing discipline within the agency would improve public trust and cooperation.
Okiemute said the goal is to instill a disciplined driving culture across Delta State.
He explained that road indiscipline contributes significantly to traffic congestion, accidents, and loss of lives.
According to him, changing driver behavior requires consistent enforcement and visible presence on the roads.
He added that the refurbished vehicles would enhance patrol coverage across urban and semi-urban areas.
Okiemute said the agency’s renewed capacity would strengthen collaboration with other security and transport agencies.
He noted that modern traffic management depends on intelligence, coordination, and accountability.
Delta State has witnessed rapid urban growth, especially in Asaba, Warri, and surrounding areas.
This growth has increased traffic volume and pressure on existing road infrastructure.
Traffic management has therefore become a critical governance issue in the state.
The state government has introduced several reforms in recent years to improve road safety and traffic flow.
These include road rehabilitation, traffic signage upgrades, and public awareness campaigns.
Stakeholders say the latest DESTMA upgrades signal a more assertive approach to traffic enforcement.
Some residents believe stricter enforcement will reduce reckless driving and illegal parking.
Others have called for sustained public education to complement enforcement efforts.
Transport analysts say intelligence-driven traffic management is essential in modern cities.
They argue that enforcement alone is insufficient without data, monitoring, and accountability.
The inauguration of the new units is expected to reshape how traffic laws are enforced in Delta State.
Government officials expressed optimism that the reforms will reduce accidents and improve mobility.
As DESTMA enters this new operational phase, residents will be watching closely.
The success of the initiative, analysts say, will depend on consistency, transparency, and professionalism.
For the Oborevwori administration, the move reflects a broader push toward safer and more orderly roads across Delta State.
