New wardens ease Freetown traffic

Freetown streets will now be manned by traffic wardens

Traffic wardens have been deployed for the first time in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown after years of war.

The wardens will not assume the role of traffic policemen, who are widely seen as being corrupt, but will have powers to fine motorists who break the law.

The BBC's Lansana Fofana says their appearance has helped to ease congestion on Freetown's streets.

A brutal 10-year civil war ended in 2002 and this is one sign that the country is returning to normal.

Colourful coats

The city's roads are narrow and officials of the Road Transport Department say the number of vehicles plying the roads has doubled since the civil war ended almost two years ago.

The wardens are already giving us headache Michael Conteh Transport operator

Clad in brisk white shirts and colourful overcoats, they are seen all around the capital directing traffic and ensuring a free flow.

"We will change people's perception of traffic management," said Ibrahim Kamara, one of the new wardens.

Some members of the public, accustomed to the unprofessional traffic police officers are worried that nothing will change.

"I don't trust these traffic wardens. After all, they may revert to the antics of the traffic police, collecting bribes from motorists," says Freetown businessman Jarra Kawusu-Konteh.

Michael Conteh, owner of two commercial transport vehicles says: "The wardens are already giving us headache. They harass us on the streets, issuing tickets and helping to congest the same traffic they are meant to clear."

But officials of the road transport authority say the new traffic wardens are a necessity to help control the city's traffic menace.