By Kazeem Waris
Plateau State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIOs, across the state following violent confrontations between the officers and transport operators in Jos.
The suspension, which takes effect Monday, September 21, is intended to pave the way for a review and restructuring of VIO operations, while the government moves to establish formal channels for resolving disputes between motorists, transport unions and inspection officers.
The Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, announced the measure after an emergency meeting with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, tricycle operators’ associations and other stakeholders in the state’s transport sector.
The meeting followed recent attacks and altercations involving VIO personnel and transport operators in the state capital.
Jatau condemned the reported attacks on VIO officers, warning that violence against state officials performing their statutory duties would not be tolerated.
He said: “The ministry strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment against VIO personnel discharging their duties.
“Such actions violate constitutional rights and threaten the hard-earned peace in the state capital.”
The commissioner directed transport unions to produce members identified in video footage allegedly assaulting state officers, adding that those arrested by law enforcement agencies would face prosecution.
“Transport unions are hereby directed to produce members identified in video evidence assaulting state officers.
“Those arrested by law enforcement will face full legal prosecution without government intervention,” he said.
Jatau said the suspension would enable the ministry to undertake an operational review and restructure the VIO directorate.
“The activities of the VIO are suspended with effect from Monday, September 21, to allow for operational review and restructuring,” he said.
As part of the planned reforms, the ministry is also establishing a complaint unit with dedicated telephone lines through which motorists will be able to report incidents and grievances arising from VIO operations.
According to Jatau, the mechanism is intended to provide motorists with a formal avenue to seek redress rather than resorting to confrontation.
The commissioner, however, raised concerns over what he described as widespread non-compliance in the transport sector, saying an estimated 80 per cent of vehicles in the state were operating without valid documentation.
He said: “The ministry is concerned about the high level of non-compliance in the transport sector, with an estimated 80 per cent of vehicles operating without valid documentation.
“We are also concerned about the increasing number of underage children operating commercial tricycles and motor vehicles.
“Statutory driving age limits must be enforced immediately.”
Jatau consequently directed relevant authorities to commence enforcement of statutory driving age limits as part of measures to improve safety and compliance in the state.
He also ordered a shift from emergency meetings convened whenever disputes erupt between VIO personnel and transport operators to mandatory monthly engagements between transport unions and the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection.
According to him, the regular meetings would provide an institutional platform for addressing grievances and operational concerns before they escalate into confrontation.
“The ad-hoc emergency meetings must give way to mandatory monthly engagements between transport unions and the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection.
“This will provide an avenue for grievances and operational concerns to be addressed through formal channels and prevent unnecessary confrontations,” he said.
