Abia govt. moves to sanitise transport sector
Chief Godswill Nwanoruo, the Abia Commissioner for Transport, has inaugurated 111 ad hoc Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to boost government’s efforts in sanitising the transport sector.
Nwanoruo, speaking during the event on Thursday in Umuahia, said that Abia government is poised to build a transport system that would encourage the practice of responsible driving and good vehicle maintenance culture.
He explained that the decision to recruit ad hoc vehicle inspection officers was informed by the need to intensify efforts in ensuring that vehicle owners complied with the existing laws for proper vehicle maintenance.
“In recent times, transport services delivery in Aba and Umuahia has been chaotic as the transport system has been dominated by touts and thugs.
“Most persons have taken advantage of the near absence of VIOs on the roads to violate vehicle safety laws and go unpunished.
“This programme is aimed at improving the efforts of the Ministry of Transport in the enforcement of road traffic services and use of genuine vehicle papers.
“It will also tackle issues like touting, driving without license, operation of unregistered and substandard driving schools, irresponsible attitude of drivers and other violation of safety measures,” Nwanoruo said.
He commended the officers for successfully undergoing the necessary training and urged them to live up to expectation as they perform their duties to provide solution to the challenges facing the transport sector.
Nwanoruo urged the officers to be diligent in supporting government programmes and policies, adding that dedication and hard work would be rewarded.
In her address, Mrs Ijeoma Okere, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said that 144 applications were received from interested persons but 111 persons met the requirements for engagement.
Okere said that the successful officers had undergone intensive training on the business of proper vehicle maintenance and safety, and called on the officers to consider their new jobs as a call to serve the people of Abia.
Also, Mr Okezie Ekwenye, the Head of Road Traffic/Vehicle Inspection Services in the Ministry, charged the new officers to abide by the oath of allegiance and rules of engagement they had sworn to preserve.
Ekwenye said: “Vehicle Inspection Services is a regimented outfit and every vehicle inspection officer is expected to uphold the principle of discipline and must be dedicated to duty.”
Responding on behalf of the newly-inaugurated officers, Mr Obinna Edward thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve the people of Abia.
Edward expressed confidence that the new crop of officers would facilitate the restoration of sanity in the transport sector.
