Command and control in NCD bus stops

As of this 150 youth were positioned in respective bus stops in the National Capital District [NCD] through the city warden Initiative recently introduced.

These youths are closely monitoring the movement of people and PMVs from one point to another.

The bus stops including Boroko in front of the traffic office have seen proper coordination of bus numbers 17, 15, 11, and 9 starting as early as 7 am.

NBC News observed in Boroko that no bus is taking shortcuts, all are parked in line and calling for passengers.

The NCDC believes this response will eliminate crime rates at the bus stops and enhance the safety of women and girls.

This initiative will also assist police and Road Traffic Authority [RTA] with manpower and Logistics to regain control of public spaces and restore the rule of law.

"We want to ensure buses are not rushed to take passengers, there must be order and proper coordination and our people can freely move and enjoy the service, "a warden at 4mile told NBC.

A bus driver Bill Koms also said this initiative is very important as it gives everyone a chance to park at the right place and gives enough space for passengers to get on the bus.

"It will also help clear the way for PMVs including private vehicles to move freely without unnecessary inconvenience like blocking off the way and causing traffic jam, "Bill said.

This will be an ongoing initiative that will be carried out in partnership with police [900+ in NCD], government agencies, and local communities.

Through this partnership, trained youth will be deployed to take over public space to further identify hotspots in the city.

They went through two weeks of induction and three days of specialized skills training conducted by professional instructors, including former and current servicemen from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force.

The City Warden Initiative is a start and the first phase of NCDC's overall plan.

After 3 months of deployment and continuous training, some of our wardens will be selected and recommended to be regular or reserve police officers.

Others will become NCDC Public Safety officers and others will be selected in the NCDC Programs like Labour Mobility and others.

The initiative will continue throughout the festive season.