In a concerted effort to ensure road safety and regulatory compliance, the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) yesterday conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation on targeting unroadworthy vehicles across the state.
According to the State Ministry of Transportation, the operation which resulted in the seizure of over 50 rickety commercial vehicles, focused on vehicles that failed to meet the prescribed minimum roadworthiness standards as seen in it’s brakes, wipers, lights, shocks and tyres, as stipulated in the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
During the enforcement exercise which spanned various key locations including Costain, Ikorodu road, Ojuelegba, Yaba, Oyingbo, Ikeja, and Ojodu Berger, the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) while diligently scrutinising commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with safety regulations, also enlightened the drivers on the danger embedded in non-compliance.
Debunking the popular view about the VIS’s enforcement focus, which was said to target more on private vehicles, the Director, Vehicle Inspection Services, Engr. Akin- George Fashola explained that the road worthiness compliance is no respecter of particular categories of vehicles, as “it is expected to be implemented on all vehicles that ply Lagos roads”, he said.
Despite the professionalism displayed by VIS Officers during the operation, some defiant commercial vehicle drivers resisted to be apprehended and, in the cause of their high headedness, damaged the patrol vans belonging to the VIS command.
Saying such acts of defiance will not deter the state government from persisting in enforcement efforts until the prevalence of rickety vehicles is significantly reduced, the VIS Director advised all vehicle owners to adopt voluntary compliance with Roadworthiness requirements for safety of live and property.
Engr. Fashola further reiterated that the VIS will continue to uphold its commitment to conducting fair and unbiased enforcement drives, urging all vehicle owners and operators to prioritize regular maintenance and adherence to roadworthiness standards to ensure the safety of all road users.
