•Commander ‘Seni Ogunyemi
By Passover Adeshina
The Commander and Chief Executive Officer of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Cdr. ‘Seni Ogunyemi has charged officers and men in the agency not to take bribe from anybody or extort motorists but be efficient and discharge their duties responsibly.
The TRACE boss who stated this during a One- Day Symposium with the theme “Legality Of Traffic Management: An Overview Of The TRACE Law Of Ogun State” for operatives in Ogun Central Command, held at the Staff Development Centre, Oke- Ilewo, Abeokuta, tasked them to be passionate on the job, be happy and appreciate themselves while on duty.
According to him, the training was organized for the officers to be clear about TRACE law, duties and other assignments by the Government, calling on the them to know what to do at the right time and let the law take its course during any violent approach by some aggressive motorists.
” Don’t take bribe from anybody, don’t extort motorists on our roads. Do your job well and be passionate about it. Be happy and appreciate yourself. Don’t argue with anybody while discharging your duties, just be quiet, use wisdom and above all, let the law take its course in any situation you find yourself. You must also know your right and at the same time, the right of other road users too” he said.
In his welcome address, the Area Commander, Abeokuta and environs, Cdr. Idowu Sonde, said the gathering was a testament to TRACE commitment to enhancing the skills and knowledge of all operatives, noting that their roles in ensuring safety of road users is critical and require to be constantly updated on latest techniques, technologies and best practices.
In his lecture on ” Understanding Public Service Rules For TRACE Officers, Ensuring Compliance and Accountability” the guest speaker who is also the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Service Matters, Barr. Oladipupo Ogunfowora, said the agency must maintain discipline, have good conduct and desist from any improper behaviour such as, dishonesty, improper dressing, corruption, insubordination and TRACE officers must know everything in the Public Service Rules.
Also speaking, the facilitator, the Director of Legal Services in the agency, Barr. Toyin Sonoiki, explained that, TRACE law has power and it is the weapon that officers need on Ogun roads without guns or baton, noting that, the law gives power to arrest or apprehend vehicles and issue tickets to offenders.
She advised operatives in the agency to be wise and not to be agressive with offenders, avoid being attacked by aggressive offenders, TRACE law only allow arrest of vehicles and not offenders but can collaborate with police or amotekun.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Officers Enitan Babatunde and Olaoluwa Familusi from Abeoukuta and Obantoko Area Commands, appreciated the organizers for the training which would position them well to know the law that govern all TRACE operatives in Ogun State.
