Soldiers recruited as road marshalls

August 6, 2012
By RINU SHYYAM

More than 100 reservists of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) have been trained to be road marshalls.


The RFMF soldiers who belong to the Territorial Force recently went through a training programme on road safety by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

This is part of LTA’s effort to enhance road safety in the country.

LTA chief executive officer, Naisa Tuinaceva, said the objective of the training was to be more effective in LTA’s strategies in enhancing road safety.

“We cannot do that single-handed because of the limited human capital that we have and that is why it’s imperative for us to improvise new approaches,” Mr Tuinaceva said.

“The idea of having the assistance from the Territorial Force is a positive way forward.

“This is not new for there are also similar strategies that are also done globally whereby discipline institution’s assistance is applied.”

The training was held last week at the Black Rock Army Camp at Nadi and the LTA Valelevu Office, Suva.

The training included 94 participants in Nadi and 17 participants in Suva

“The purpose of road marshalls is for them to be LTA’s eyes, ears and voice to members of the public whereby they will disseminate information.


“They would be involved in distributing pamphlets on road safety matters and address the importance of complying with the road rules.


“These road marshalls play an important part in this programme and we intend to maximise that to its full potential,” Mr Tuinaceva said.

LTA spokesperson, Alfred Wiliame, said the voluntary enlistment of these personnel would be a boost to the discipline process of compliance on road safety.

Mr Wiliame said the reason for getting them involved would contribute to the enforcement strategies as to deduce the continued habitual offenders and bad behaviour and attitude of drivers.   “Road safety is just not a fight of LTA alone.

“It is responsibility of all stakeholders, Government and members of the public.

“When we work as a nation and not individually, we will have an impact towards having a safer Fiji.”

The LTA intends to recruit 5000 road marshalls by the end of the year to strengthen the awareness programmes as an impact on road safety compliance.