The Director-General of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Mr Benjamin Okiemute, on Thursday highlighted a raft of reforms that have repositioned the agency, enhanced traffic control, and significantly boosted revenue generation.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday in Asaba, Mr. Okiemute described the state of DESTMA prior to his appointment as “distressed and ineffective,”.
He noted that the agency had functioned for a prolonged period without a substantive DG.
Okiemute also said during that time, management responsibilities fell to directors within the Ministry of Transport, an arrangement he said left the agency without direction, order, or operational capacity.
According to him, DESTMA’s infrastructure was in disrepair, discipline among officers had waned, and morale was at its lowest.
“We had only two functional patrol vehicles and a single tow truck covering the entire state,” he recalled, adding that key zones including Agbor, Sapele, and Ughelli had no vehicles at all.
Okiemute further said that many of the agency’s remaining vehicle were “barely roadworthy and spent more time in workshops than on the road.”
He said upon assuming duties, he immediately worked with the Board Chairman, board members, and agency directors to develop a comprehensive revival plan.
”This blueprint included statewide public sensitisation on traffic rules, restructuring staff operations, and restoring long-abandoned patrol vehicles and tow trucks.
”Several grounded operational vehicles were refurbished and redeployed to zonal commands that had been operating without mobility for years.
”The agency also introduced new departments, the DESTMA Provost Unit, an Intelligence Unit, and the DESTMA Marshals to strengthen internal discipline, rapid-response capability, and field surveillance, ” he said.
He added, ”within the year under review, DESTMA impounded 4,328 vehicles for various traffic violations.
”More than 100 of these cases were adjudicated by mobile courts.”
The DG described the initiative as the most transparent form of enforcement since offenders were allowed to defend themselves before a judge.
Despite the volume of infractions recorded, Okiemute maintained that DESTMA prioritised public enlightenment over punishment.
He explained that many traffic offenders lacked basic knowledge of road signs, a gap the agency was addressing through its traffic school.
He noted that if DESTMA had fined all offenders instead of offering warnings in many cases, the agency could have generated close to a billion naira.
According to him, nevertheless, DESTMA recorded N110,885,500 in revenue between December 2024 and December 2025, representing a 273 per cent increase.
Okiemute attributed the growth of the agency to improved systems, heightened transparency, and more efficient enforcement mechanisms.
The DG also reported a significant improvement in traffic flow across major corridors of State, with fewer accidents and reduced travel delays.
He commended the Nigeria Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) for collaborating with DESTMA, particularly during emergencies and traffic gridlocks on federal roads.
According to the DG, DESTMA has made deliberate efforts to rebuild its public image by enforcing proper dress codes, promoting civility among officers, and providing training on courteous engagement with motorists.
He noted that routine prayer sessions introduced on Mondays and Thursdays have helped boost morale and foster unity within the agency.
Okiemute also announced that efforts were underway to amend the DESTMA law to strengthen enforcement powers and transition the organisation from a civil-service framework to a full-fledged paramilitary body.
He added that proposals have been forwarded for higher budgetary allocation to support expanded operations in the coming year.
Responding to questions on future initiatives, the DG announced that DESTMA was preparing to work more closely with FRSC to address growing traffic challenges around the Asaba axis.
Okiemute expressed gratitude to Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori for the “unwavering support and political will” that facilitated the agency’s transformation.
He assured residents that DESTMA remained committed to sustaining order and safety on the state’s roads.
