One characteristic feature of the Nigerian Democratic system of Government is its liberal nature which enables individuals to make contributions in any positive way for the development of the country. Some people make their own contributions through assisting the Nigeria Police Force in controlling the traffic, an act most Nigerians appreciate but the Police frowns at. CHIBUNMA UKWU writes
Traffic jam is one condition Nigerians do not cherish experiencing.? There are places in Nigeria where most people do not wish to inhabit, not because they are not good but due to the constant traffic jams which characterise such places.
Although the Police force is doing to ease the situation, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY findings show that there are times when civilians also help in the control of vehicular traffic.
Whereas it is a charitable act which eases movement on the roads, the question remains whether civilians should be encouraged in this act when there are people to whom the job is specially assigned.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY on this, a business man and a driver, Mr. Vincent Ibina holds the opinion that unemployment is one of the factors which prompts civilians to take up such tasks. According to him, these individuals are found in most road junctions directing the traffic.
“I see what these people are doing as part of their contribution to the society and I consider it okay. They are assisting the Nigeria Police Traffic wardens to direct the traffic”.
Speaking on what could be prompting them to do what they do, Mr. Ibina said the state of unemployment in the country is one of the factors which motivate civilians to engage in such jobs.
“One thing that I discovered is that some of them are unemployed so rather than being idle, they take on traffic control as a way of engaging themselves.? Most times, they are also encouraged by some people who like what they are doing and appreciate them by giving them gifts, often cash which they use to eat and that I guess motivates them to come out next time to help”.
Mr. Ibina also asserted that he prefers the individuals being on the Nigerian roads to help direct traffic than have them in the streets as beggars. But by being on the road, they are helping to build a better Nigeria. Drivers recognise this fact and are always obedient to them, I have never seen a driver who disobeyed the individuals that assist in regulating traffic.
Also in acknowledgement of the role being played by them, another Abuja based? business man and driver, Mr. Uche Uzuegbu asserted that they are doing a good job of assisting the police in directing traffic. He expressed satisfaction that such charitable works are in existence in Nigeria and encouraged that it should be supported.
“It is a very good development.? I just saw one in Gwarimpa. As a matter of fact, I did not know that such thing is in existence in this country and I am very pleased with that. Probably, I am going to join them if I have the time”.
Giving his reason for such a decision, Uzuegbu stated that everybody should have a medium of doing a voluntary work.
“If I have the opportunity, I do not mind joining in such work once in a while. That is because there are lots of traffic in Abuja and these guys are selflessly undertaking the task irrespective of wether the motorists or passers-by care or not. Of course we all have to? do one charitable work somewhere along the line, I want to appreciate these chaps and look forward to doing? so myself in a short while”.
Giving recommendations on the unsolicited services being rendered by these young men, Mr. Ibine called on the government to grant the people involved employment as their actions could be taken as indication of interest to serve.
“Presently, I know that they are not recognised by the government but I would want the government to recognise these people. Their names should be included in any government register or payroll. They are only doing what they are doing out of benevolences.
Thus, I suggest that the government should come up with something to do with them because by helping to control the traffic, they have showed interest that they can do such jobs so the government should consider employing them and training them to become traffic wardens”.
One of the individual traffic controllers, Emeka Eniocha who spoke to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, however, stated that he goes to control the traffic when the need arises. According to him, the police are always there on the road to do the job of traffic control but towards evening and nights when they are not on the road, the vehicular congestion and subsequent grid-locks could mar a rather nice day for road users.
“Well, I am a bus conductor and not a traffic controller. Though I do the job sometimes, I do it only when there is need for it. Often times, it is to get my particular vehicle away from the traffic so we can resume our journey”.?
However, the police do not share this view. Speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, Wuse Divisional Traffic Officer, Mr. Yusuf Kasim stated that traffic control is a job meant for the police alone and any civilian engaging himself in it is a violator.
“The police Act and regulation did not permit anybody to regulate traffic apart from the police. If you see any individual any time of the day regulating traffic, he is on his own and we will arrest them whenever we see them. The work is not meant for them and because they are not trained for the job, they sometimes end up causing avoidable traffic jam”.
Speaking further, Mr. Kasim stressed that the civilians who stand on the road to control traffic do that out of their selfish interests to extort money from members of the public”.
On how the police hope to address the situation, the Traffic officer emphasised that anybody caught in the act will be dealt with according to the law.
“Although we do not like it that it’s the police alone that are responsible for traffic control, the police is equal to the task and we hope to crack down on these intruders by arresting tand prosecuting them anywhere we see them controlling traffic illegally”.