SLRSA wants Traffic Wardens respected
In recent times, there has been some misunderstanding between Traffic Warden Corps and SLP Traffic Personnel on their roles in traffic management. The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) decided to bring relevant stakeholders together, including Bike Riders Union, Motor Drivers Union, Traffic Warden Corps, SLP and others to sensitize them on the roles and functions of Traffic Warden Corps in order to bridge the existing gap between the two entities. (Photo: SLRSA Officials and Stakeholders)
The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, (SLRSA) is been urged to train more Traffic Warden Corpse so as to ensure that traffic personnel of the Sierra Leone Police Force quit the street. This plea was made by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Salifu Conteh at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union Conference Hall in Makeni City over the weekend. The event marked the sensitization of relevant stakeholders on the functions of Traffic Warden Corps and the legal framework under which they are operating.
ASP Conteh who was speaking on behalf of the Director of Traffic Management Division and Road Safety, said it is the wish of the Inspector General of Police not to have Police Officers on the streets. He said this can only happen when the SLRSA train more Warden Corps to manage traffic operations in the country.
ASP Conteh pointed out that Traffic Warden Corps have the powers of arrest but not to detain, whilst the police have the powers to arrest, detain and prosecute matters in court. He said the laws must be reviewed so as to enable Traffic Wardens to investigate road crashes and embark on a other road traffic safety measures.
There are about 175 Traffic Warden Corps currently serving as an auxiliary to Traffics Personnel of the SLP. Over one thousand trained Warden Corps are required to be well trained to take over traffic management across the country.
The Deputy Executive Director of SLRSA, Mrs. Alice Pratt said the mistrust between the two entities has been placed on the drawing board. She cited incidences wherein Traffic Warden Corps have been molested during the execution of their duties. She noted that the Police and Warden Corps should work together for the development of the nation. “We should work together to ensure better road safety measures as taken in order to save the lives of drivers, pedestrians, vehicles and motor bikes,” the DED said.
Making a presentation on ‘the role of the Sierra Leone Police and Traffic Wardens in regulating traffic and traffic related offences in Sierra Leone’, Madam Fatmata Lois Kawa said the police cannot be every where, which is why the Warden Corps are brought to complement their effort. She said this is done as guided by the laws that establish the two institutions. The powers of Traffic Wardens, she said are limited as stated in the Road Transport Authority (amended) Act 2003. She reiterated that the work of Traffic Warden Corps cannot be effective without the cooperation of the police.
The Regional Police Commander in the North, Chief Superintendent Bundoh pointed out that the roles and responsibilities Traffic Police Officers were not outlined during the training of Traffic Warden Corps. He called for the need to establish a disciplinary wing for Traffics wardens as it is in the SLP. CSP Bundoh advised that both institutions should see each others as partners in development.
Bother Motor Drivers Union and Bike Riders Union Presidents called for better collaboration between the two institutions so that road safety measures are enforced thoroughly. Mr. AB Bah and David Sesay called for improved conditions of service for the two institutions and also for Traffic Wardens to be promoted so that they are respected whilst executing their duties.
Other speakers include Paramount Chief Bai Sebora Kasanga II of Bombali Sebora Chiefdom and the Provincial Secretary North, Ahmed Mustapha who represented the Minister of State North.
By Fadda Bakish
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These traffic wardens are a mess. Only in Sierra Leone do they issue tickets without the knowledge of the motorist. When you go to register your vehicle you are presented with tickets for non-sensical offenses you know nothing about.
The entire traffic warden operation is a scam. It seems the wardens have been told to issue tickets right, left and center, irrespective of whether an offense was committed and irrespective of whether the motorist has been given a copy of the ticket. It seems that this is just to enable their bosses to help themselves from public funds. These are the types of injustices that convince many Sierra Leoneans that this country is doomed, no matter what.
The police are more mature and circumspect on the road and they will always be better trained in dealing with the public. The traffic wardens are terribly immature and behave really stupidly at times. LEAVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THE HANDS OF MATURE PEOPLE.
29th April 2015