By; USMAN NASIDI, Kaduna
In an effort to ensure law and order is maintained by all citizens in Kaduna State, the Arewa Consultative Synergy Congress (ACSC), has petitioned Governor Nasir el-Rufa’i, urging him to checkmate the activities of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA).
In a letter signed by the (ACSC) National President, Engr. Dr. Harris (EI-Rasheed) Moh’d Jibril, given to newsman on Wednesday in Kaduna, he explained that the KASTLEA Road Marshalls are often found of making excessive use of force, unethical and unprofessional conduct, while on highways.
He added that the various misconduct the personnels display while carrying out their operations are worrisome that made it compulsory for the forum to pen down its concerns over the unethical and unprofessional abuse of rights of the citizens of Kaduna by the KASTLEA officials.
He said, ” I was born and lived in Kaduna all my life so far, even my parents before me, and no doubt, I have witnessed a tremendous urban renewal, face lift and restoration and urbanisation of our state Kaduna under your administration, it is exceptionally commendable performance beyond comprehension.
“However, Your excellency KASTLEA is a state government agency and constituted under a particular law or rules of engagement and I am surely physical fighting, abuse or brutally enforcing those traffic and environment laws are not part of it.
“The Road Marshals conduct on our highways is highly unprofessional, uncivil and as your fan and brother, it is my wish that your name to remain a leader being remembered for doing the right thing than being blamed for doing the wrong. I wish to bring to your notice this mayhem which is not going down well with the citizens who elected you and you swore and pledged to protect.
“Evidently, we have witnessed the high handiness and unprofessionalism in their conduct. They are completely lacking compassion even worse than the “VIO” you disbanded”, we have traveled far and near within and outside this country, we have witnessed how application of law and its enforcement is carried out professionally with dignity and courtesy.
“KASTLEA Road Marshals don’t go after the real traffic offences committed, especially by commercial drivers, or the indiscriminate wrong parkings on our highways, the overloading of both persons and goods, rather they limit their focus on motorists with minor issues like “vehicle particulars (papers), worse of all they rather descend on innocent responsible mothers rushing in the morning who might be in a hurry and forgot her driver’s license while taking our children to school, or delay a responsible citizen who forgot to put his or her seat belt in an early morning rush hour or renewal of vehicle documents without caution.
“Meanwhile, they engage them and in some cases they engaged the motorist by removing their number plates or into physical abuses or fighting, hitting a moving car or smashing their windshields for issues that can be resolved amicably and professionally.”
According to the statement, ACSC Convener, Dr. Harris pleaded with the State Governor for demilitarisation of the KASTLEA’s in its entirety, probably a change in the leadership style from a military oriented leadership to a civilian head could help the matter and perhaps change their tactics and approach and still yet to attend the targeted revenue collections and even more if well strategised.
Finally, ACSC proclaimed that, “We are in a civil society and so are our actions with approach should be more civil and professionally conducted”, while they also thanked the State Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i for the tremendous activities being achieved in the state.
