By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA), Mr Pat Chiezugo Obiefuna fwoa MNIM, called on the general public including ARTMA personnel to always adorn their facemasks if they are to be allowed access into any of the Agency’s facilities including offices across the state.
ARTMA Boss who gave this directive during his maiden meeting of the year with senior officers of the agency at the agency’s headquarter in Awka stressed the need to wear face mask while in public and cautioned against the belief in some quarters that Covid-19 was not real.
‘With all sense of seriousness Covid-19 is real and is very much around with us hence there is need to practice and observe all the Covid-19 protocol and guide lines put in place by government to curtail the spread of the virus.’
He further urged the senior officers to take the issue of wearing of face mask seriously with their subordinates while on duty to avoid contracting the deadly Corona virus.
Reacting, ARTMA General Manager Mr Chidi Umezinwa assured the MD/CEO of their readiness to enforce his directive of NO FACE MASK, NO ENTRY”, even as he thanked him for his efforts in ensuring that all ARTMA staff were free from Covid-19.
Speaking on Ember Months and Christmas special duty, the ARTMA boss thanked and commended his men for a job well done and charged them to keep up the standard.
He also extended his appreciation to the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, Hon Adam Mbanefo, sister agencies like the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others for their efforts in working hand in hand with ARTMA to ensure a traffic free Yuletide celebration.
In his contribution, ARTMA General Manager, Mr Chidi applauded ARTMA officers, especially the senior officers in ensuring that Ndi Anambra and beyond enjoyed traffic free Christmas celebration in the State and assured them that their efforts would not go unrecognized.
Challenges ranging from interferrence by VIP convoys, illegal revenue collectors/ agents, activities of touts hiding under the umbrella of ARTMA to engage in unwholesome practices, and shortage of manpower in some areas among other challenges were mentioned by the senior officers during the meeting.
Responding, Mr Pat Obiefuna promised to address the challenges mentioned and he urged them not to relent but to maintain the momentum.
The MD/CEO however expressed dismay over the attendance and attitudes of some ARTMA officers towards assigned roles. He also warned anyone that was not willing to work to step aside or be ready to be thrown out as according to him, he would no longer torelate such behaviours this year, 2021.
Mr Pat Obiefuna during the meeting also emphasized on the need to channel more energies on traffic control and road decongestion.
Concluding, Mr Pat Obiefuna reiterated his desire to improve on the welfare of his staff such as ensuring that all ARTMA personnel are enrolled in the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) schemes, among others.
