ABUJA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to alleviate the plight of traffic wardens in the country through the second reading.
This was sequel to the bill sponsored by Rep. Victor Afam Ogene (PDP-Anambra) entitled: “A bill for an Act to repeal the Traffic Warden Act, 1975 and to provide for the establishment of the Traffic Warden Service and for other matters connected therewith.”
While leading debate on the bill, Ogene, who decried the current working conditions of traffic wardens in the country, noted that the road officers deserved better pay and recognition.
He recalled that Decree (now an Act) No 21 of 1975, which recognised traffic wardens in the country, was full of deficiencies as it limited their promotions to four-grade rankings.
“The discriminatory practices were reportedly compounded by the year 2000 Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division verdict, which reportedly declared the Traffic Warden’s Service a ‘separate body from the Nigeria Police Force.’
“Generally speaking, members of the Traffic Warden’s Service of the Nigeria Police Force, with present numerical strength of about 8,500, are discriminated against, especially in the areas of ranking and allotment of portfolios,” he said.
He said that the worse case was that a Deputy Superintendent of Traffic (DST) was said to be inferior and answerable to a Police Assistant Superintendent or Inspector.
“A Senior Traffic Officer, equivalent of Police Inspector, is inferior and answerable to a Police Sergeant or Corporal,” he added.
The discrimination against the traffic wardens, according to Ogene, seems to have received official backing.
He urged his colleagues to reverse the trend in view of the enormous role played by traffic wardens nationwide.
The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Emeka Ihedioha, referred the bill to the committees on police affairs, and justice for further legislative actions. (NAN)
