ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Enugu State Government has urged the newly inaugurated members of the Special Traffic Control Task-force (STCT), to utilize their position to ensure free traffic flow, and also help in reducing crime in the state.
Voiceofnaija.ng reported that the State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had warned criminals and hoodlums to stay away from the State during the inauguration of the special task-force on road decongestion in Enugu East Local Government Area (LGA), in September, 2022.
The STCT was inaugurated to partner with the MOT, following the traffic chaos along major roads in Enugu East, to help decongest the traffic, stop people from roadside trading, also stop commuters from wrong packing and in an unauthorized areas.
The DPO Unity Police Station, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of the state, SP Longinius Chukwu, urged them on “intelligent gathering.”
He urged them to sanitize their environment while doing their job, and do not hesitate to “say something when you see something.”
SP Chukwu stated this during a one day training workshop for members of the STCT on work ethics, traffic rules and avoidance of crime while on duty, held at the Police Station, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu, on Tuesday.
He also reminded the participants that their job is a thankless job and one of the most difficult as they are compelled to be on the road.
The DPO noted that the importance of the training was to imbibe in them, the Human Right Act and ability to avoid insulting the public while carrying out their duties, warning that they are liable to any offence they commit.
He said: “You are helping the government to regulate traffic, in order wards, assisting the police.” He also added that “The police is the mother of forces in Nigeria.”
“You don’t insult human beings because the law will not spare you if you assault any individual. You are supposed to have decorum on how you operate because any offence or crime you commit is on your head.
“You should know your bounds, you can’t do it alone, stressing that helping to decongest the traffic is a good one, however, he encouraged them to do it in accordance with the law.”
He continued: “We are here to support you, and you support us. While trying to clear obstruction, do it diligently, and when there is challenge, contact us.”
The DPO further advised them to obey their superiors and receive instructions from them, adding that they should always do their job with human face and align themselves the law.
On his part, Sylvester Chidubem Ezeugwu, Assistant Commander, Operations, Enugu State Traffic Management Authority (ESMA), told the task-force members that their job is not a do or die affair.
His words: “They are not there to start extorting money from the motorists. They are being empowered to help in reducing traffic situations in this state.
“They should bear in mind that they are not there to make money for the government, but to make sure the road is free, in that area they assigned to work.”
Ezeugwu further appealed to the road users to cooperate with the task-force, and ensure to report any bad behavior on the workers, to the Ministry of Transport, for immediate action.
Speaking also, the General Manager, Umuchineke Nigeria Ltd. Mr. Victor Uchedienyi, said that their task was to ensure free flow of traffic on major roads in Enugu East LGA.
He advised the workers to abide by the code of conduct guiding the organization.
Uchedienyi also urged them to always ensure that all enforcement must be evidence based, while carrying out their duties.
Uchedienyi said that the chaotic nature of the roads in the area had become frustrating to commuters.
He regretted that most roads around Akpakpa area have been converted to road market by the petty traders, and packing space by motorists.