The Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC Rivers command have accused Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO of operating beyond their scope of work in Rivers even as the Chairman of the Driver’s Welfare Association in Rivers,Christopher Ezeali has called for the removal or redeployment of the commander of VIO in the state.
Voke Emore, Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee,PCRC, Rivers command in an interview said “I am worried about the activities of Vehicle Inspection Officers,VIO in Rivers State.It is sad because alot of commercial drivers,even private vehicle owners have complained a lot about the activities of VIO in the state.
“They have been apprehending cars, asking for vehicle papers and asking for driver’s license which is over stepping their boundaries because we have the role of road safety,there is also the role of Nigeria Police Force.
“VIO is over stepping their boundaries,is something to worry about,I think the Government should give their men proper orientation on what their assignment is supposed to be on the road.so that they dont over step their boundaries,especially VIO asking you for insurance,I dont know how insurance relates to road worthiness of the vehicle.
“I think the VIO should concentrate on road worthiness of the vehicle,and how the mechanic and electrical system of the vehicle is working”.
Christopher Ezeali, Chairman of Commercial Drivers Welfare Association in Rivers state in his response said
“I thought the work of VIO is clearly stated,the embarrassment and exploitation they are causing on daily basis in Rivers will lead to a protest if the leader is not removed or redeployed.
“VIO are known to be stationed on state boundaries not on streets of PortHarcourt,causing traffic jam and demanding for 60,000 naira and above from motorists.
“.Come to waterlines under the flyover,Abacha road and Oyigbo,these men are now doing both road safety and Police work by demanding for tinted glass permit,fire extinguisher,jack and wheel spanner.
“Upon the court order that restricted them from confiscating,impounding and imposing fines to motorists,that court order is still valid.What kind of lawlessness is this?Rivers state Government should put a stop to this intimidation before it gets out of control”
The state commander of VIO,Engr Monibo Akobo reacting to the allegations,disclosed that in Rivers state Ministry of Transport, have directorate of Road Traffic Services,
“it comprises of VIO and road traffic officers.I happens to be the Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer,VIO and Chief Road Traffic Officer,RTO of the state.
“I am the head of the directorate.The people they see on the road,though they wear the same uniform with VIO but they are road traffic officers,if you look their badges,you will see they are road traffic officers not VIO .When you see them,you will say they are VIO.
“The road traffic officers have right to check fire extinguishers,insurance,tinted pernit.That is their major work,is in the rivers state road traffic law.To apprehend traffic offenders.In the law you will also see some of the fines.
“Is a state affair not federal.Every state have their own VIO and RTO.VIO is for vehicle inspection” he said.