Anambra State Government has approved the recruitment of more Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIOs, and the provision of alcohol testing device for the agency.

Governor Willie Obiano said this at the 2018 National Conference of Directors/Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation, NCDCRTOF, at Donritz Hotel, Udoka Housing Estate, Awka.

Obiano, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, noted the importance of VIOs in Anambra was to ensure road safety and security.

“In the past, Anambra did not VIOs, until we assumed office in 2014. That was when Anambra VIO was reconstituted.

“Every vehicle, commercial, private or government`s, has been subjected to annual Vehicle Testing by the VIOs to ascertain their conditions as it is done in the UK.,” Obiano said.

“In the 1970s and 80s, Federal and State roads were in very bad condition.

“But over the past 30 years, the federal and state Governments have contributed immensely in reconstructing good roads. And Anambra has the best road network in the country,” he said.

Obiano, then, enjoined the officers to ensure that only those that have passed through proper driving training should be given driver’s licence.

He urged them to put off road on any bad vehicle used by some driving schools during training.

Uchenna Okafor, commissioner for Transport, noted that Anambra State had improved tremendously in every sector. “The state is rated as number one in security in the country’’.

“VIOs are of paramount interest to the state and this annual conference they embarked on will help them rebuild and promote safety on the road,” Okafor said.

Garba Abdu Gaya, acting chairman, NCDCRTOF, said that the theme of the conference: `Innovative Strategies for Enhancing a Sustainable Road Traffic Safety and Security` was very relevant and timely.

“There is increase in the rate of accidents and high level of insecurity on the highways.

“And since drivers are the major causes of the accidents, the major steps VIOs will take is to ensure that they are properly trained, tested and licenced,’’ Gaya said.

He appealed to state governments to resuscitate their Road Traffic Departments to ensure they “have effective control of the operations of driving schools for proper training and re-training of drivers.

“They should also have control of the issuance of driver’s licence which will ensure that only certified drivers will be issued with licence.

“ Train and issue Rider’s Permit to Motorcyclists and Tricycle Riders and establish full-fledged Motor Vehicle Administration Agency,’’ Gaya stressed.

He also praised the Governor and the Commissioner for Transport for their support toward the success of the conference.

Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uju Nwogu, represented by Otuyemi Bayo said that the re-orientation of the officers would help them on how to educate road users.

Anambra Chief VIO, Christopher Okeke, noted that the conference was an annual programme where all VIOs meet to deliberate on issues concerning driver’s licence process and road worthiness certificate issuance.

“Here we harmonise the positions of all states’ VIOs into a national working document to be used across the federation and enhance the capacity of road transport officers.

The Governor, Commissioner for Transport and SSA to the Governor on Public Transportation/General Supervisor were decorated as members of the VIO by the Acting National Chairman of the Conference.

– Nov. 1, 2018 @ 18:45 GMT |