Wakia speaks out on city’s traffic concerns

POLICE and the Department of Transport, Works and Civil Aviation have not agreed on the deployment of 20 reserve police personnel to assist in enforcing traffic rules at the main bus stops around the National Capital District.
Manager enforcement with lands transport Herman Wakia said a memorandum of agreement, if signed, would also pave the way for the return of 94 community-based transport officers who were laid off on Feb 25. The 94 had helped the lands transport division and NCD traffic police crack down on unregistered and unworthy public motor vehicles.
“I understand that the document has not left the office of the deputy commissioner of operations; it has not been brought to the attention of the secretary and police commissioner,” Wakia said yesterday when commenting on the progress of a road exercise which started last December to crack down on traffic issues in the city.
He said the delay had affected the enforcement of traffic rules throughout the city, leading to an increase in unregistered and unworthy PMVs on the roads.
“Because the matter is pending, we cannot re-recruit community-based transport officers.
“We have to employ them under the agreement with the engagement of the reserve police,” he added.
“We will continue to bring in defective vehicles and impound them as traffic law enforcers.
“Everyone, including owners and drivers of vehicles, must adhere to traffic laws.”