The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Rivers says it will resume routine on-the-spot enforcement of traffic rules in collaboration with sister agencies in the state.

Akobo Monibo, the state VIO chief, told journalists on Monday in Port Harcourt that the move was to strengthen security and encourage use of only road worthy vehicles in the state.

Mr Monibo said that the agency was set to remove all rickety vehicles that were currently a nuisance to the environment and road users.

“The governor, through the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Jacobson Nbina, recently assured us that our officers will soon be on the roads to resume traffic law enforcement, which we are prepared to do.

“Soon, we will be on the road because there are lots of rickety and smoky vehicles that are not road-worthy on our roads.

“There are also increased incidences of car thefts and related crime, which also need our expertise.

“If our officers are on the roads, rickety vehicles contributing to road disturbances and environmental pollution would be pulled out,” he said.

Mr Monibo also commended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara for the approval of enforcement amongst the agency’s functions yearning to be addressed.

According to him, the agency has been training personnel on job efficiency and engaging other agencies with a view to fulfilling its mandates.

The officer also noted that the agency had commenced enumeration for commercial vehicles while fleets, private car owners and other operators, including vulcanisers, car dealers and car spare part dealers, were expected to face similar screening soon.

He said that any defaulter who failed to participate in the enumeration would be liable to discipline where in some instances, defaulting vehicles risked being impounded.

Meanwhile, some road users in Port Harcourt have expressed concerns about the anticipated resumption of VIO personnel on the roads.

Joab Ibigoni, a cab driver, urged the government to re-echo the agency’s terms of operation to keep the public informed of their rights in the event of bullying and intimidation by corrupt officials.

(NAN)