In a bid to infuse safety regulatory measures and realize a sustainable solution to the various challenges on the road transport sector, the Abia State Government has inaugurated One Hundred and Eleven Adhoc Vehicle Inspection Officers (V.I.O) for the State Ministry of Transport.
Inaugurating the V.I.O Personnel at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Transport, Chief Godswill Nwanoruo,charged them to imbibe discipline and support the state government to achieve safety and sanity awareness on Abia roads.
The Commissioner noted that the programme is introduced “to beef up the efforts of the Ministry of Transport in the enforcement of road traffic services,genuine vehicle papers, checkmate touting, unlicensed drivers, unregistered and sub standard driving school operators, menace created by tricycle/motocycle operators on the road among other safety regulatory measures.
He said: “The transport service delivery in Aba and Umuahia has been chaotic in recent times. Traffic rules and regulations are not obeyed and the transport system is seen to be dominated by touts and thugs. Perpetrators have taken advantage of the near absence of V.I.Os on daily routine checks on vehicle defects, papers and other safety measures.
“As you are aware, transport is a service delivery industry that affects every facet of human endeavor. It is therefore important that the industry should achieve a reasonable and acceptable standard of speed, sanity, safety and better driving culture among other policy thrusts”.
The Commissioner, who informed that the personnel have passed through necessary trainings, warned that any misbehaviour would attract severe punishment as stipulated in the Rule Of Engagement and Template Of Services.
Nwanoruo, therefore urged them to be exhibit discipline in the course of discharging their statutory functions as ambassadors of the Ministry and the State Government.
He thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the interest he has shown in transport matters and for giving Abia people a new lease of life through various programmes and new innovations as well as supporting the Ministry in the task of revamping the transport sector.
Presenting the V.I.O Personnel, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Clara Okere disclosed that out of 144 applicants who showed interest to be part of the excercise,a total of 111 applicants were qualified and trained in different fields of transportation system.
She enjoined the personnel not to toy with the assignment given them but see it as a little beginning and opportunity to contribute to the development of Abia State.
In a vote of thanks, one of the Adhoc V.I.Os, Mr. Edward Obimba thanked the Governor and Commissioner for ensuring that they were engaged and trained to work as ad-hoc V.I.Os of the Ministry. He assured that they would abide by the Rule Of Engagement and Template Of Services.
