The Enugu State Government has announced the recruitment of 500 ad hoc traffic wardens to address the state’s increasing traffic gridlock and negative road attitude.
Mr Ogbonna Idike, Permanent Secretary of the Enugu State Ministry of Transport, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.
Idike stated that the ad hoc officers would supplement the state’s existing 314 traffic control officers.
He stated that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had approved the request for the recruitment of traffic wardens between the ages of 20 and 45 who were physically fit enough to handle the demands of the job.
According to Idike, the recent increase in traffic gridlock in the state’s major towns has forced existing traffic control officers to work two shifts between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m., as well as between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily.
He stated that the ad hoc wardens would be paid stipends because they would not be full-time civil servants.
“The modalities for the recruitment of additional traffic staff are in progress, and by His grace, we are going to recruit 500 of them to assist the ministry’s existing traffic control officers.”
“Of all the South-East states, Enugu is the only one that has been able to recruit such a large number for traffic control,” he said.
The recent gridlock on some routes, according to the permanent secretary, is due to “negative road attitude” and “impatience.”
He observed that motorists, particularly commercial bus drivers, exhibit a lot of negative road attitude, impatience, and indiscipline while driving.
“Since the EndSARS activities, more people have not obeyed traffic rules and believe they can behave however they want.”
“There is also the issue of sit-at-home in the South-East, and more motorists having to move only five or four days a week, with the attendant rush and everyone 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 for even a few seconds, and at times you will see drivers fighting over minor issues that simple patience can solve.”
Idike went on to say that the influx of people into the state has exacerbated the traffic situation.
“Enugu State is the most peaceful in the South-East and one of the most peaceful in the country, with people living their normal lives and doing their businesses without fear of being attacked.”
“The majority of people in the region have decided to relocate to the state, and they are coming down with their children to take advantage of the good and quality primary, secondary, and tertiary schools in Enugu,” he said.
The permanent secretary, on the other hand, assured that the ministry, its traffic wardens, and other stakeholders were ready to ensure smooth traffic flow during the holiday season.
“With the continued support of our people-loving governor, His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi,” he said, “the ministry will continue to overcome existing and emerging traffic challenges in the state.”