Edith CHUKU
Eleme command of the Special Marshal in Rivers State, has intensified patrols in the area, as part of measures to ease traffic congestion.
The Eleme Units Coordinator, Mr Edwin Umoren, disclosed that the command would conduct patrol on Mondays to ease traffic congestion caused by weekend travellers and Saturdays, to manage traffic during gatherings that generate heavy vehicular movement and convoy traffic.
Umoren revealed this when he formally presented 14 newly inducted Special Marshals to the Unit Commander, Justine Jones Agwu, at the Eleme command, on Saturday.
The event, which was attended by the State Coordinator who was represented by Dr. Andy Uzor, special marshals, captains of industry, academics, professionals, regular marshals, and members of the press, marked a significant milestone for the command.
The Eleme unit coordinator explained that the 14 newly inducted marshals drawn from diverse professional backgrounds including engineering, entrepreneurship, oil and gas, civil service, and transportation, bring the total number of active special marshals in the command to 56, excluding some members who are inactive due to distance.
He expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their patience following previous postponements of the meeting, commended members of the executive committee for their support and acknowledged the continued contributions of partners toward strengthening the Eleme command.
In his address, Umoren spoke on the command’s ongoing projects, patrol activities, relationship with the unit commander’s office and the Eleme-Trailer Park Road reconstruction.
He informed the unit commander that, “the command’s quarter guard project is ongoing, although progress has been slow due to administrative bottlenecks at the bank. I am pleased to inform you that these issues have now been resolved. We are optimistic that the sector commander will commission the project during his next visit.
“By the special grace of God, our command currently conducts patrol activities twice weekly: Mondays (4:30-5:30 p.m.) to ease traffic congestion caused by weekend travelers returning to their destinations. Saturdays (9:00 a.m. – 12:00noon) to manage traffic during major events such as government functions, project commissioning ceremonies, inter-state activities, funerals, weddings, and other gatherings that generate heavy vehicular movement and convoy traffic.”
On the Eleme-Trailer Park Road reconstruction, Umoren expressed gratitude to “the federal government for the ongoing reconstruction of the Eleme–Trailer Park axis, part of the East–West Road. This corridor serves as a major entry and exit route within our operational zone under the Federal Road Safety Corps.
“We are confident that traffic flow will significantly improve upon the completion of the Aleto Bridge construction.
Workers from the refinery, Indorama, Onne Port, and other industrial establishments are already expressing optimism regarding the improved road conditions.”
In the aspect of relationship with the unit commander’s office, Umoren appealed to Agwu for a “continued accessibility and stronger collaboration between your office and our special marshals at all times. This synergy will further enhance our operational effectiveness.
“Our newly inducted Marshals have undergone proper training at the State level on critical operational and safety topics. However, we will continue to organize periodic refresher trainings to keep them updated and efficient.
“To our newly inducted Marshals, this is your office. The Regular Marshals are your colleagues and partners in service. I encourage you to foster unity, mutual respect, and teamwork at all times.
“This is your unit, and these are your officers. On behalf of Unit 002 Special Marshal I hereby formally present both the newly inducted and existing Special Marshals to you.”
In his response, the unit commander appealed for assistance in renovating the leaking roof in the command meeting hall building, a toilet door and a few square meters of tiles to make the toilet usable.
Agwu also expressed the need for immediate renovation of the infrastructure in the command.
Meanwhile, the quarter guard project site was jointly inspected at the end of the event.
