Lagos State Govt Calls For Enhancement Of Vehicle Inspection Technology

The Lagos State Government has called for an enhancement of vehicle inspection technology as part of efforts towards improving the operations of Vehicle Inspection Officers across the country.

Addressing participants at the 2019 National Conference of Directors/Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation at the Event Place, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, described vehicle inspection operations as an evolving process which requires strategic and analytical policies.

He affirmed that having employed various strategic measures to enhance efficiency and synergy in vehicle inspection across Lagos, the State Government is now digitalising the overall process to improve safety on the roads.

According to him, “Lagos State, in its bid to enhance vehicle inspection technology, has identified the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) device for enforcement to capture information on plate numbers and simultaneously compare it with data on a synchronised sever”.

He pointed out that the continuous empowerment of the Lagos State Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service Centre has reduced the carnage on roads as motorists, organisations and individuals now patronise the centre for computerised testing.

In his words, “Lagos State being a pacesetter has acquired for the VIS, an AutoVIN machine which is first of its kind in Nigeria, for the forensic laboratory performing pre-registration inspection activity in line with Section 12 of the RTL, 2012 as it is globally done”.

“The deployment of smart, connected sensors, combined with machine-learning-powered analytic tools enables the prompt gathering of information, make predictions and reach decisions that will enhance safer roads”, he stated.

Oladeinde affirmed that the theme of the conference “Employing Technology to Enhance Compliance and Safety on Roads” signifies that the institution recognises the relevance of advancing its operations through technological procedures.

While charging citizens to be law-abiding by being responsible road users, the Commissioner implored other States in the Federation to toe the line of technology for enhanced efficiency, compliance and safety on Nigeria roads.

In his remark, the National Chairman, Director/Chief Road Traffic Officers, Engr. Paul Bepeh submitted that the institution is ready and committed to exploring technology in the administration of motor vehicles across the country.

“Our desire and aspiration to ensure that 2011-2020 “Decade of Action” on Road Crashes as declared by the United Nations is achieved in Nigeria as we are beginning to have a common focus while pushing for national interest”, he reiterated.

Engr. Bepeh appreciated the Lagos State Government for developing a viable system of vehicle administration, urging other States to deepen efforts at ensuring that Nigeria is taken off the list of countries with the highest accidents and road crashes.

Also speaking at the gathering, the Director, Vehicle Inspection Service, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Akin Fashola revealed that in line with the renewed efforts at improving the mode of operations on traffic rules and regulations in the State, the VIS has identified and developed strategic framework towards enabling an improvement on the four cardinal objectives of ensuring safety, standard, sanity and security on roads.

He stated further that in a bid to enhance policy initiation and implementation, the Directorate is engaging the private sector and relevant stakeholders to ensure conformity with best global practice, adding that infrastructural improvement, public education and enforcement capabilities with well-articulated safety policies are the bedrock of structured operations.

Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa; the Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association, Mrs. Yetunde Ilori and General Manager, Lagos Traffic Radio, Mr. Tayo Akanle among others.

The four-day conference is expected to gather delegates from the 36 States of the Federation and FCT to deliberate on issues bordering on road traffic management and inspections.