– Calls For Enhanced Welfare Packages
The Conference of Directors and Chief Traffic Officers have called on the Federal and State Governments to digitise the operations of the Road Traffic administration to meet present realities in order to guarantee security, safety on the roads and revenue generation for the state.
The Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIOs) made the call on Tuesday at the National Conference of Directors/ Chief Road Traffic Officers of the federation with the theme” Leveraging on Technology As a Tool for Motor Vehicles Administration To Enhance Road Safety, Security and Revenue Generation” holding on 25th- 27th October 2022 in Lokoja Kogi State capital.
They noted that the call to computerise the operations of the road traffic management subsector has become necessary in order to enhance efficiency for the protection of lives and properties on the roads
The Conference noted that the automation of their operations will ensure the seamless discharge of their mandates thereby blocking leakages in revenue generation and ensuring that the safety and security of motorists are guaranteed as most crimes are perpetuated through the roads.
Speaking to Journalists, the Chief motor inspection officer of Kogi State, Engr. Ahmed Enesi Dauda commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for creating enabling environment for the hosting of the 2022 edition in the state.
He equally applauded him for being among the first state Governors to have digitalised the operations of VIOs in their states which have reduced the perpetuation of crimes on the roads and blocking of revenue leakages.
Ahmed noted that as part of their constitutional responsibilities VIOs are to take charge of road traffic activities and make sure that all motors plying the roads are road-worthy and drivers appropriately licensed to drive the type of vehicles they are driving.
He added that they are responsible for the issuance of driver’s licenses and ensure that they are up to date in conjunction with some agencies of Government.
Allaying fears of some Agencies duplicating their functions, he said other agencies are complementing their efforts as there is no friction whatsoever, provided the agencies stick to their constitutional mandate.
According to him, Kogi state is a nucleus of this country providing thoroughfare to motorists from the North and South, hence, the need for other agencies to assist in traffic control and management.
“So, if we have an Agency trying to complement our efforts, we welcome it. We have been surviving without friction with other agencies, such as Road Safety Corps and Kotrama. We have our mandate, which is all about vehicles’ roadworthiness and drivers being appropriately licensed to drive particular vehicles.
” Vehicles Inspection Service is a Department in the ministry of Transportation and from the background of Vehicles Inspection, from the colonial era to this dispensation, we have been instituted by the constitution to perform the role.
We have been doing our jobs right from when Nigeria was three regions to 12, 19, and now 36 States and Abuja” Dauda revealed.
On the issue of technology, he said, although, they have been performing duties manually, with the advent of technology, Motor Inspection Services have been computerised, said most state offices have toed the lines.
He disclosed that in Kogi, the Road Traffic administration conduct its inspection by computer, adding that it has enabled precise result of faults with the vehicles.
He called on the motoring public to avail themselves of the checks which will dissect the problems, stressing that all one need is to go to the mechanics with the exact fault with the vehicle.
“You only need to give instructions to your mechanic to fix the problems, because faults have already been identified. He dont needs to do trier and error”
While commending Gov.Bello for his support to the Department, urges him to look into their welfare, saying the job of VIOs is different from the core civil service as they have no specific closing hours with high hazards on the job.
He appealed for the provision of more operational vehicles as the only one that is serviceable is grossly inadequate for effective coverage of the roads across the state.
According to him, the Department is the pillar of the Ministry of Transportation, which ensures that the highways are safe, and secure and generate revenue, making them important to the ministry and the state.
Speaking at the sideline, the Executive Secretary, of Nigeria Transportation Commissioners’ Forum NTCF Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute insisted that the only future for Road Traffic Officers is to embrace Technology as the manual operation has gone for good.
She said most sectors of the economy, such as the Health Sector have since gone digital, as such, the department should not be left behind.
She noted that the sector when fully automated will guarantee enhanced security, safety and maximum revenue generation.
The Executive Secretary revealed that most crimes are being committed on the roads, hence, the need for the application of technology to curb Insecurity and safety cannot be overstated.
She added that digitising the operation of Traffic administration would equally reduce road accidents, most importantly the ones caused by articulated vehicles.
Mrs Chinwe urges owners of articulated vehicles to bring their vehicles for periodic checks to avoid break failure syndrome which has become a major cause of road accidents.
According to her, “we at the Motor Traffic administration are eager to embrace Technology, as we can’t do it alone. We are soliciting the support of the governments, and the private sector for enhancing seamless operations.
She charges all Nigerians to speak out against reckless driving and owners of rickety articulated vehicles that have become mass killers, to embrace modern technology as provided by the Road Traffic administration.
She noted that although the need for government to generate revenue through road management cannot be sidelined, however, the issue of security and safety on the roads should be the major concern of the government and the citizenry.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello commended the body for choosing the state to host the 2022 edition of the conference.
He told the conference that it was his passion for VIOs that he has to create enabling environment for the smooth hosting of the event.
Represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Joseph Baron Okwoli, the governor noted that in his commitment to safety and secure roads, he has remained one of the few state governments to have computerised motor traffic administration.
He enjoined the participants to feel at home and enjoy the warm hospitality of the state throughout the conference.
Credits: Independent Newspapers
