DANIEL DAUDA, Jos
Stakeholders in the transport sector in Plateau have lent their voices to the need to provide Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) with more training for optimal performance and enhance the safety of commuters.
The stakeholders also bemoan the lack of standardization as well as corruption and extortion, which gave birth to rising disharmony between the VIO and road users.
These concerns and many more were raised on Tuesday during a one-day stakeholders sensitization engagement on the activities of the Department of VIO, Plateau State Ministry of Transport.
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Transport, Jatau Davou Gyang, said the role of Vehicle Inspection Officers is undeniably important.T hey serve as crucial components of our transportation and road safety systems, ensuring that
vehicles meet the required standards and that our roads are safe for all users.
Their duties include inspecting vehicles for roadworthiness, ensuring that drivers have the necessary documentation, and enforcing traffic regulations meant to protect lives and property.
“However, while these objectives are vital to the well-being of society, it has been
observed that there are concerns about the manner in which some officers are
carrying out their responsibilities.
“The issue of perceived excesses in their conduct has raised questions and caused a ripple effect of discontent within the populace. These excesses often manifest in the form of harassment and intimidation, over zealousness in enforcement, lack of transparency, and disproportionate penalties.
“We are building bridges between the VIO and road users so that everyone will have a common ground and better cohesion.
Underscoring the significance of deploying technology for effective service delivery, the transport commissioner revealed that the ministry intended to validate and upload a surveillance camera system to monitor the movement of commuters.
“We decided to mount a surveillance system to monitor vehicles that are entering and exiting the state on a daily basis.
The technology will also serve as a means of generating more revenue to the government in tandem with the consolidated revenue drive”, he stated.
Director department of Vehicle Inspection, Lady Anna Mweltok, described the interface as timely, taking into account that it will go a long way in ensuring better collaboration between the VIO and road users.
Promised to continue carrying training and retraining for the officers, She charged vehicle operators to always be up to date with their particulars.
For a better society
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