As NUJ Kicks off public enlightment, GM KASTELEA, FRSC, ICPC caution Marshals against gratification, use of force

By; ABDULL-AZEEZ AHMED KADIR, Kaduna.
The Marshals of Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (KASTELEA) have been warned against the consequences of inducing and collecting gratification form the public and the use of brute force in the course of their operations as they get set to start enforcement within the state.
This ning was handed down by the General Manager of the Agency, Colonel Zubairu Ahmed (rtd), the Deputy Zonal Commissioner North West of the Independent Corrupt and Practices Commission (ICPC) Musa Alkali, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Francis Udoma among others following the success of the kick off of the public enlightmentment, road walk and public lecture to sensitise the public and the Marshals organized by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna Council in collaboration with other stakeholders Saturday in Kaduna.
The General Manager in his remark to declare the lecture open, charged the Marshals of the agency not to utilise their position and authority to oppressed citizens of the state while discharging their duty.
“Don’t use your uniform to witch hunt anybody while
discharging your duty because Governor  El-rufai works for the generality of the people of the state” he cautioned, asserting that the governor belived in the ability and civility of the Marshals to be just.
He was however quick to posit that one found wanting in the course of discharging their official responsibilities would be dealt with and even dismissed from the services of the agency.
Ahmed also allayed the fears of the public on duplication of responsibilities or clash with the FRSC, asserting that there is a clear cut demarcation of responsilities and they would raher complement each other than antagonize.
Resource persons from the Independent Corrupt and Practices Commission (ICPC), Musa Alkali and Godwin Basherun dwelled on causes and consequences of corruption, and warned the Mashals to resist any temptation in the course of law enforcement.
They urged the Marshals to fully study the law and the penalties of their operations for them to discharge their duty effectively, asserting that corruption is the number one problem in Nigeria and charged the officers to shun gratification however great the temptation.
Citing section 8 of the ICPC Act, Mr. Godwin said the penalty of accepting gratification is seven years.
In his welcome address, NUJ Kaduna Council Chairman, Comrade Garba Mohammad applauded the establishment of the agency as it “will go a long way in complementing FRSC and other agencies in ensuring safer roads and environment.
“NUJ is very ready to contribute its quota in the development of the state and Nigria as a whole in the actualization of the present
administration’s change agenda. Our doors are open for positive and meaningful collarboration in this respect” Mohammad assured.
He reiterated that the council leadership places priority on training and retraining of its members, as a way of encouraging productivity and objective reporting at all times.
he also appreciated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dialogue Computers Institute, Dr Mahdi Shehu for agreeing to conduct a free training for 40 members on ICT/ Entrepreneur ship, which is the first of its kind in the country.
“We appreciated the Management of KRPC for sustaining the sponsorship of training and retraining programme of our members on energyreporting. The Chairman said.
Other Associations and Agencies that participated at the event are; FRSC, ICPC, Womenhood Foundation of Nigeria, YDMRI, NIGAS Skills Accusation Centre, sky Skaters Kaduna Association, MISMA Concept Media, Association of Kaduna Deejays and PMAN.
The lecture held at NUJ  Kaduna Council Secretariat with the theme: “Overcoming The Corrupt Temptations In The Course of Action” after a road walk that saw the crowd walked kilometers within the metropolis from Sokoto road through Ahamdu Bello Way – Junction Road – Constitution Road – Independence Way and ending at NUJ Secretariat through Muhammadu Buhari (Waff road) Way.