Market News

By Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos

To ensure road safety and regulatory compliance, the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation on Wednesday targeting unroadworthy vehicles across the state, the state Ministry of Transportation has said.

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 its brakes, wipers, lights, shocks and tyres, as stipulated in the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

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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 in non-compliance, which is the cause of road majority of accidents.

Debunking the misconceptions 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 roadworthiness compliance is no respecter of particular categories of vehicles.

 “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, the ministry said some defiant commercial vehicle drivers resisted being apprehended and in the cause of their high-headedness damaged some 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 the safety of lives and property.

Fashola was, however, quoted to have reiterated that the VIS will continue to uphold its commitment to conducting fair and unbiased enforcement drives. He urged all vehicle owners and operators to prioritize regular maintenance and adherence to roadworthiness standards to ensure the safety of all road users.