OYO GOVT EXPLAINS SACK OF TRAFFIC MANAGERS

By Ola  Ajayi
IBADAN- GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said he sacked workers of the State Road and Traffic Management Authority, ORTMA, employed by his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to correct perceived irregularities in their employment.

He alleged that the past administration employed the affected workers without following the rules and regulations guiding employment, but they were employed based on party affiliation and other parochial interests.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the governor said there were 'massive irregularities, cronyism and favouritism' in the employment of the sacked road traffic authority members.

Ajimobi maintained that the former governor hurriedly employed the traffic managers and filling spaces with party and family members 'in flagrant disregard for the requirements of such appointments.'

The governor said though there was need to have such an establishment and that he had set machinery in motion for a similar organization, but strictly with the 'norms and practices that guide employment.'

Governor Ajimobi said those who were disengaged and have requisite qualifications could re-apply and would be given priority in the new ORTMA that the government was setting up, saying that 'government believes that things have to be done properly with thorough regard for equity, due process and law.'

According to him, government was prepared to pay the sacked ORTMA workers salaries owed them as at June 30, 2011 when they were disengaged, stating that the 'present government in Oyo state believes in fairness in all its doings.'