Kano Road and Traffic Agency (KAROTA) was established by the former administration of Rabi`u Musa Kwankwaso to manage traffic situation, reckless driving and non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations in the metropolitan of Kano state.
The operatives in their yellow uniforms were every morning conveyed in their pick up vehicles and dropped at various strategic locations such as round about, junctions, flyovers and even government offices as their places of assignment.
Their appearance is causing havoc and panic to motorists as they operate without fear of favour no matter who you are the moment you either deliberately or mistakenly cross white line when you are stopped by a traffic light or answered phone call you will be arrested.
In the past, the operatives are been respected for their maturity and understanding but things becomes worst when the former governor gave them unrestricted order to arrest who ever find wanting and even to the extent that they should fine who ever speak English for them considering the fact that majority of the employed personnel are neither illiterates nor school dropout.
For every road user roaming within the metropolitan of the commercial nerve centre are driving in panic and fury ranging from private and commercial owners or tricycle even a bicycle drivers were not left behind to the extent that a picture going round in a social media the KAROTA operatives arrested a donkey trying to push him inside their vehicle (if the picture was true is laughable).
What will annoy you with the overzealousness of these operatives nobody is spared and nowhere is a hiding place in the state, they can rough-handled you mercilessly which many described as very painful and frantic no matter how you try to obey their last order KAROTA operatives will walked over and forced their way into your vehicle even if you are with your family.
Some forcefully enter through the back door and will ask you to drive to their head office, some motorists will make attempt to bribe them while those who are confident that they have not committed any offence or have godfathers will obey their instructions.
The highhandedness of these officers in a democracy is amazing and is a regular occurrence in the state capital all in the name of enforcing traffic regulations, the rights of many Nigerians are carelessly violated on a daily basis.
These and many reasons of their troublesome led to the incessant killing of the personnel by some aggravated commercial drivers, in less than one month the agency lost three of its personnel, it was very sad and pathetic for a human being to crushed his brother to death and run away.
On their side the KAROTA personnel contribute on the unfortunate incident as they pursue commercial drivers especially with reckless acts as such some commit the killing in an attempt to escape from public disgrace and unnecessary fine.
The coming on board of Dr. Baffa Baba Danagundi who is an astute and non-nonsense leader as the managing director of the agency has drastically reduced the overzealous and unruly behavior as well as bring sanity, discipline and transparent among the Karota operatives they now operate in fear of termination of their appointment or take any disciplinary action against who ever find wanting.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje should assist the leadership of Dr. Danagundi to revisit the agency and make some relevant adjustments as the behaviour of some of these officers is a dent on the fight against corruption.
However the effective management of traffic by KAROTA officers has reduced traffic irresponsibility by 75 per cent as well as create sense of belonging among motorists but on the other hand visitors are complaining bitterly on the way and manner they were treated when they come to Kano for commercial purposes by the operatives.
But in the area of traffic control along major markets and motor parks such as `Yan Kura, Rijiyar Lemo, Bata, Gadar lado, NNPC Hotoro among other the agency deserved to be commended as they did a job well done through clearing grid locks in the affected areas. Other areas needed to be given attention include Mile Tara and Kwanar dawaki motor parks.
Also part of the cross border activity conducted by KAROTA operatives include vehicles particulars and driver`s license which was not made it known to the public if there is any law that ordered them to request or check vehicles particulars.
The agency has to employ the services of reputable firm to sensitise its operatives on do and don’t of their civic responsibilities aimed at bringing sanity and enhance mutual understanding with the general public.
With the recent recruitment of over 700 KAROTA operatives by the Ganduje administration will enhance their performance and reduce redundancy among teeming unemployed youths in the state, on their part they should fear God in the cause of discharging of their civil responsibility and justify their earnings. Motorists should cooperate with the operatives to maintain the mutual understanding with the general public.
Dangida writes from Kano
