The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) of the Plateau State Vehicle Inspection Office, who doubles as the director of vehicle inspection for the state, Mrs. Anna Mweltok, has appealed to the Plateau State Government to provide modern technological tools for her members as a means of enhancing revenue generation and ensuring the safety of road users.
Mrs. Mweltok made the appeal on Thursday in Jos at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau State council when she led other officials on a courtesy visit to the officials of the NUJ at its secretariat in Jos. She explained that the visit was to seek partnership for the forthcoming annual VIO conference to be held in Plateau State.
According to the Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, the conference shall provide opportunities for the state VIO to learn new skills on how to generate more revenue for the government. She informed that the Plateau State VIO offices are lacking in digital equipment to carry out their official duties effectively, hence the need for the government to provide the equipment and also ensure effective manpower through new employments.
She disclosed that the last employment in the VIO section was done in 2005, explaining that most officials have outgrown the ranks of being on the road for vehicle inspections. She noted that most of the staff on field operations are ad-hoc, therefore, do not have the required training and sensitization for efficiency, hence the experience of hitches.
Responding, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Plateau council, Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, requested that operational officers of the VIO need to be constantly sensitized on how to relate calmly with the public, particularly defaulters on the highway. Ayuku appreciated the VIO officials for the visit and said the proposed partnership by VIO with the NUJ was a welcome development, assuring her visitors of colleagues’ cooperation but insisted that VIO operational officers should always act in an orderly manner toward all.
She maintained that such acts could provide more safety for the citizenry rather than being confrontational to road users. Mrs. Ayuku requested that an official of the VIO attend congresses of the NUJ in the coming days for the sensitization of members to enable journalists to inform the public on the rules and regulations of the VIO through reportage from an informed perspective.
Some members of the NUJ who witnessed the visit complained of undue harassment by operational officers of the VIO on flimsy excuses.
