The Enugu State Government says it will recruit 500 ad-hoc traffic wardens to tackle the challenges of increasing traffic gridlock and negative road attitude in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of Enugu State Ministry of Transport, Mr Ogbonna Idike, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.
Idike said that the ad-hoc officers would support the already existing 314 traffic control officers in the state.
He said that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had approved request for the recruitment of the traffic wardens who would be between the age of 20 and 45, healthy enough to stand the strain of the job.
Idike said that recent increase in traffic gridlock in major towns in the state had forced existing traffic control officers to now work two shifts between 6a.m. and 1p.m., as well as between 1p.m.and 8p.m. daily.
He said that the adhoc wardens would be paid stipends as they will not be employed as full civil servants.
“The modalities for the recruitment of the additional traffic staff are in progress and by His grace we are going to recruit 500 of them that will help the existing traffic control officers in the employ of the ministry.
“In all the states in the South-East, Enugu state is the only state that has been able to recruit such a large number for traffic control,” he said.
The permanent secretary attributed the recent gridlock being experienced in some routes to “negative road attitude” and “impatience”.
He noted that motorists especially commercial bus drivers, display lots of negative road attitude, impatience and indiscipline while on the road.
“Since the EndSARS activities more people have not been obeying traffic rules and they believe they can behave anyhow they like.
“Also, the issue of sit-at-home in the South-East and more motorists having to move only for five or four days in a week and the attendant rush and everybody being on the road at the same time due to limited days of movement or operation.
“In this rush, most people will not have patience even for a few seconds and at times you see drivers fighting due to little things that simple patience can take care of.
Idike added that the traffic situation has been made worse by the influx of people into the state.
“Enugu State is the most peaceful in the South-East and one of the most peaceful in the country where people have no fear of their safety, live their normal lives and do their businesses.
“Most people in the region have decided to relocate to the state and they are coming down with their children in the relocation and taking advantage of the good and quality primary, secondary and tertiary schools in Enugu,” he said.
The permanent secretary, however, assured that the ministry, its traffic wardens and other stakeholders were poised to ensure hitch-free traffic flow during the yuletide season.
“With the continuous support of our people-loving governor, His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the ministry will continue to surmount existing and emerging traffic challenges in the state,” he said.
Enugu Govt. to recruit 500 adhoc traffic wardens
