Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has congratulated 102 newly promoted officers of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, describing their elevation as a reflection of the agency’s institutional growth and commitment to quality service.
Makinde, represented by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Olabode Ladipo, spoke on Thursday during the decoration ceremony held at the Local Government Staff Training Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The promotion covered four categories of officers, with the exercise identified by OYRTMA Chairman, Major Adekoya Adesagba (retd.), as part of the authority’s 2024 promotion exercise.
Twenty-five officers were elevated from Principal Road Traffic Officer to Assistant Chief Road Traffic Officer on Grade Level 13.
Another 11 officers were promoted from Principal Road Traffic Superintendent II to Principal Road Traffic Superintendent I on Grade Level 12, while 16 officers moved from Road Traffic Superintendent to Principal Road Traffic Superintendent II on Grade Level 10.
The remaining 50 officers were promoted from Road Traffic Officer II to Road Traffic Officer I on Grade Level 9.
Makinde said the development further affirmed the integration of OYRTMA into Oyo State’s core civil service structure.
He congratulated the officers and their families and urged them to justify their elevation through greater commitment to duty.
According to the governor, the officers have a responsibility to contribute to efforts to reduce road crashes and promote safer road use across the state.
He also commended the management of OYRTMA for its reforms and urged the newly promoted personnel to remain diligent in carrying out their responsibilities.
The Head of Service, Adenike Fashina, represented by the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency, Akinyinka Adeyemi, also congratulated the officers and encouraged them to sustain their commitment to public service.
Earlier, Adesagba thanked Governor Makinde for approving the promotions and for his support for staff welfare and career development.
He highlighted reforms introduced since his appointment as chairman in October 2023, including a new enforcement approach involving enlightenment sessions for traffic offenders before trial.
He also listed the creation of OYRTMA Special Marshals and Youth Volunteers, the expansion of operational bases and the refurbishment of the authority’s zonal headquarters in Oyo town.
Other measures, according to the chairman, include the recruitment and training of 500 new officers and the introduction of a QR-code jacket policy for more than 32,000 commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators.
Adesagba said OYRTMA had also strengthened cooperation with the Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Police, Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst, Vehicle Inspection Officers and the Park Management System.
He said three additional directorates had been created to oversee Operations and Enforcement; Rescue, Recovery and Incident Management; and Engineering and Logistics.
The chairman urged the newly promoted officers to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibility and to redouble their efforts towards ensuring free traffic flow, reducing crashes and promoting road safety.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, security representatives, service chiefs and other dignitaries.
