SEVEN female Traffic Wardens have been commissioned to assist the regular traffic ranks in maintaining law and order on the roads.

Their commissioning took place yesterday morning at Stabroek Market Square in downtown Georgetown, under the auspices of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), and the ceremony was graced by the presence of the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

Rohee told the gathering that he was pleased to be associated with the initiative, which he described as “better late than never”.

He said the efforts of Traffic Wardens would contribute significantly to the efforts of the traffic ranks of the GPF in maintaining law and order on our roadways, and in easing traffic congestion.

Rohee explained that countries worldwide are seeking to embrace newer initiatives in strengthening their respective police force to be more effective in discharging its responsibilities; and he said it is no different in Guyana.

The minister said he welcomes the development, and the GPF should be applauded for this good effort. He noted that the launch took place at an auspicious occasion — during the anniversary of the GPF, when a series of activities are being rolled out in observance thereof.

He reiterated that the introduction of traffic wardens is a positive move in the right direction for the GPF, and urged citizens to respect the wardens and adhere to their instructions.

Under the law, the minister said, traffic wardens have the power to arrest defaulters in traffic offences, and he encouraged all road users to support them in their duties while on the roadways.

He said the GPF’s embracing of the concept goes to show that the organisation is expanding and its goal to succeed is its topmost priority.

Police Commissioner (ag) Seelall Persaud said the traffic warden programme would be expanded, even though there are measures in place to ease traffic congestion on both the East Bank and East Coast corridors.

The Top Cop, however, encouraged road users to observe the traffic laws in relation to one-way streets, and to cooperate with the newly installed traffic wardens.

Assistant Police Commissioner, in charge of Administration, Balram Persaud, who chaired the event, said the newly appointed traffic wardens were selected after an advertisement had been placed in the print media. He said they underwent training, and are ready to take up their position in service to Guyana.

The seven female traffic wardens said they are indeed ‘ready for the roads’ following six weeks of training.

(By Michel Outridge)