Gov Bala Commissions 500 Road Cadets, Marshals To Enforce Traffic Regulations In Bauchi  

By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi

Governor Bala Mohammed has  directed all the twenty Local Government Chairmen in the state to liaise with Bauchi Road Transport Agency (BAROTA) to hasten the establishment of the agency’s offices in their respective areas for its efficient coordination and seamless operation throughout the state.

The Governor while inaugurating the agency’s 500 cadets and marshals, said BAROTA was established with a clear mandate to tackle the many challenges facing road transport sector that include traffic law enforcement, accident prevention and investigation, road safety awareness and advocacy

He assured that his administration will never interfere in the operations of the newly established agency so as to maintain its integrity and professionalism in the discharge of the assigned responsibilities, saying BAROTA has been given powers to arrest any person suspected of committing or having committed an offence under the law.

Governor Bala explained that the agency’s operatives would also  impound any vehicle by which an offence under the law is reasonably suspected to have been committed until the case is determined or disposed of, tow away and park impounded vehicles in designated parks.

“Over the years, road accidents, traffic congestion, and general disorder on our roads have had devastating effects on our citizens. Consequently, my administration presented the Bauchi Road Traffic Agency Bill to the State House of Assembly in 2020 to enact a law to address the problem”.

The Governor described the event as a landmark in the government’s drive towards entrenching a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable road transportation system in the state, and congratulated each and every one of the 500 Cadets and Marshals who have completed their rigorous training.

He observed that the training has prepared the cadets and marshals to serve a new generation of leaders entrusted with the monumental task of ensuring safer roads for all road users in the state.

The Governor assured that the establishment of the agency is not a one-time effort as his administration remains fully committed to supporting it in every way possible, including equipping of the with modern technology and tools to enhance efficiency.

“Let me assure the good people of Bauchi state that as a government, we are resolute in our vision to employ more youth to reach our target of 2000 of the cadets/marshals. This policy initiative is in line with government’s priority in human capital development through economic empowerment and engagement, especially of our teeming youth’

He urged the agency’s operatives to serve with integrity, professionalism, and compassion, stressing that each life saved and each accident prevented will be a direct result of their dedication and commitment, saying however that the state administration will not tolerate laxity, indiscipline and abuse of opportunity, usually associated with corrupt tendency and lackadaisical attitude on the part of the youth.

Earlier in a welcome address,  the Director General of BAROTA, Ahmed Tijjani Baba Gamawa assured that the agency’s road cadets and marshals will operate within the ambit of the law as the training they received was of international standard, and in compliance with global best practice.

Ahmed Tijjani Gamawa, a retired Air Commodore of the nation’s security network who assured the governor that the agency’s operatives would not let him down, said that the cadets and marshals were picked from the 323 electoral wards of the twenty local government areas of the state in line with his directive for justice and fairness in the selection.

The Retired Air Commodore said, “The graduating cadres have undergone 21 rigorous training and induction course not only on traffic laws, but also on morals and good conduct of the general public while on duty, expressing confidence that they would operate with due regards to efficiently, safety and conduct themselves profession

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