LUDLOW Powell, former branch manager at Guardsman Armoured Limited, has been recently confirmed as the new director of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA).

He replaces Conrad Ainsworth who had been acting ITA director since the retirement of former director, Paul Clemetson, earlier this year.

Powell has worked as a toll manager with the Florida Turnpike Enterprise and as a motor transport supervisor in the United States army, in addition to being a policeman and a teacher in Jamaica. But, whatever competencies he acquired during those stints will be crucial, because he will be taking over the ITA at a very critical point in history and will need to bring all this to bear on his new post.

The (current) review of the Road Traffic Act is looking at all the subject matters relating to road traffic, including the level of participation of the police in the licensing processes, which is likely to be included in new Road Traffic Regulations which have already been drafted.

Media reports have suggested that Powell will review and revise the ITA’s policies and procedures in accordance with the new Road Traffic Act and Regulations, and that he will also ensure that the motor vehicle inspection facilities are operated in accordance with performance standards.

He will also need to and the ITA in becoming a part of the proposed Land Transport Authority. The ITA and the Transport Authority (ITA) are set to share the regulatory functions of this new authority, which originally included the current defunct Jamaica Railway Corporation.