Removing VIO officers from roads will affect traffic safety — Director

The Director of Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) of Ekiti State, Engr. Olawale Ayegbusi, has disclosed that removing officers of the commission from the roads would have a negative impact on transport safety in the country.

Ayegbusi, who clarified that the recent high court ruling, which restrains the commission from impounding, confiscating, or imposing fines on any motorist, does not apply to Ekiti State, added that the efforts of the VIO officials in maintaining the roads cannot be overemphasised.

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the director stated that the court order is only applicable to officers operating within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He emphasised that the matter is a residual issue which is only specific to the FCT and does not extend to all states across the country.

According to him, “We are professionals and trained officers, and we assure the people of Ekiti that we will work tirelessly to minimise road crashes. Removing VIO officers from the roads would negatively affect traffic safety.

“VIO officers have played a vital role in helping drivers identify faults in their vehicles, which they may not have been aware of.”

He further said, ” Road traffic law is a residual matter under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have a concurrent, exclusive list and residual matters. The residual matter is a state issue.

“It concerns only the state, and motor vehicle administration falls under this category, giving each state the power to legislate its own laws. The judgement from the federal high court applies solely to the Federal Capital Territory, not to every state.

“Ekiti State has its own laws, and they remain intact. This means the VIO in Ekiti is not barred from carrying out its duties, including conducting patrols and impounding vehicles, as it is our constitutional right. The court ruling pertains only to federal capital law, not Ekiti law.”

Ayegbusi assured residents of Ekiti that his officers would continue to uphold professionalism and work diligently to reduce road crashes in the state.

He also called on the public to adhere to traffic rules and cooperate with officers to ensure safer roads.

“We urge the public to see the VIO as their friends and feel free to raise any concerns at our office,” he concluded.

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