The Plateau State Government has continued and intensified its stakeholders’ consultation on the reform of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), seeking stronger collaboration with relevant agencies towards restoring public confidence and improving operations in the state.
The consultation, which followed the recent suspension of VIO operations over reported assaults on its personnel while carrying out their duties on highways, took the Ministry of Transportation delegation to the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Jos.
Representing the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, the Director of Administration in the ministry, Engr. Celestine Gogwim said the engagement was part of efforts to explain the challenges confronting VIO operations and seek the support of stakeholders in finding a way forward.
The director said the ministry considered the assaults on VIO personnel carrying out their statutory responsibilities a serious concern, stressing that disagreements with government officials should be addressed through established channels rather than taking the law into one’s hands.
He said the government had not shielded any officer found to have acted wrongly, noting that where officers exceeded their powers, appropriate steps had been taken to address such cases.
The Director appealed to the NOA and other stakeholders to help sensitise members of the public on the need to respect statutory agencies and use lawful channels to raise complaints or seek redress.
Also speaking, the Director Vehicle Inspection and Chief VIO, Engr. Zam Jonathan, said the ministry was seeking stronger partnerships with stakeholders to create an environment where VIO personnel could discharge their responsibilities while also respecting the rights of motorists.
Engr. Zam acknowledged that there could be officers who had acted beyond their limits, saying the ongoing engagement should also serve as a wake-up call for personnel to be civil and ensure that their duties are performed within the ambit of the law.
He said the ultimate objective of the reform was to regain public trust in VIO operations, adding that the ministry was open to advice and constructive criticism from stakeholders as preparations continued for the resumption of operations.
At the NOA, the Plateau State Director, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam Hworo, welcomed the ministry’s engagement and urged VIO personnel to adopt a more civil and friendly approach in dealing with motorists.
Hworo said the agency would key into the ministry’s efforts by supporting public awareness campaigns on the roles and statutory responsibilities of VIO, noting that lack of knowledge about the specific duties of VIO could contribute to misunderstandings and confrontations between officials and motorists.
She said the NOA had officers across the state who could collaborate with VIO to take the awareness campaign beyond the media and into communities, stressing the need for direct grassroots mobilisation and street-level public education.
The NOA Director also advised the ministry to develop campaign materials such as posters, stickers and other publicity materials that could be distributed at the grassroots to reach members of the public who may not be exposed to media campaigns. She noted that while VIO had engaged the media and other platforms, there was a need to take the sensitisation directly to the people.
She further urged the agency to rebrand and rebuild public confidence while making greater use of technology and digital systems in its operations, particularly to improve safety for VIO personnel working on highways and reduce unnecessary confrontations with motorists.
Responding to the suggestions, VIO officials said provisions had been made in the recent budget for the reform and digitalisation of the system, including the introduction of more digital intelligence systems and improved methods of carrying out inspections and enforcement.
At the NSCDC Command, the Plateau State Commandant, Commandant Ishaku Musa, assured the Ministry of Transportation of the Corps’ continued support and collaboration in maintaining law and order during VIO operations.
Musa described the reported altercations between VIO personnel and motorists as unfortunate, stressing that officers carrying out statutory duties should be allowed to perform their responsibilities.
He advised VIO officials to seek the support of the NSCDC whenever necessary during operations, assuring the ministry that the Corps would continue to collaborate to ensuring effective and safe enforcement.
The team also visited the DSS headquarters in Jos as part of the ministry’s efforts to strengthen relationships with security and other relevant agencies whose support could contribute to safer and more effective VIO operations in the state.
The transportion delegation comprised senior officials of the Ministry and VIO, including the Director of VIO and Chief VIO, Engr. Zam, other directors of the ministry and senior officers of the agency.
The engagements form part of the state government’s ongoing stakeholders’ consultations aimed at reviewing VIO operations, addressing concerns from both officials and road users, and developing a more effective, civil and responsive system ahead of the resumption of operations.
