(Report by Police Media Officer Andrew Philip.)
Commander NCD/Central Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jr says the ongoing issue at the traffic lights within the National Capital District will soon be managed.
ACP Wagambie said the most notable one is the Waigani traffic lights where civilians are directing traffic when the lights go off. He said although it is helpful, it must be noted that this is the job of police officers.
Mr Wagambie has directed the NCD Metropolitan Commander, Superintendent Silva Sika and his management to take appropriate steps to cater for this issue. He said this could be done through using existing partnerships.
“For short term to ease this issue the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) Reserve Police Unit must be engaged immediately to take full responsibility for all traffic lights within the city, especially at Waigani. They must be immediately deployed to manage the traffic when the lights go off.
“And for the long term the NCD Metropolitan Superintendent and his management will engage with the City Manager to establish a Traffic Light Conductor Unit. This can be done by engaging the youths who are currently volunteering for this task.
“It will be more of a community approach. These youths could be trained as traffic conductors, enlisted as Auxiliary Constables, and be employed by the NCDC and come under their Urban Policing Unit. They can set up tents next to traffic lights and are immediately activated when the lights go off,” Mr Wagambie said.
ACP Wagambie said the volunteers are to be dressed with reflectors labelled as NCD Police Traffic Conductors. He said they will not engage in any other policing duties but are to be specifically utilised at the traffic lights only.
