NEWS FLASH: Atilo Atide, We’re back on Lagos roads, VIS tells motorists

The Vehicle Inspection Service in Lagos State says its officers are back on Lagos roads to carry out its statutory life-saving mandate through enforcement of motor vehicles’ roadworthiness.

The Director of VIS, Mr Akin-George Fashola, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday.

He said residents of the state, especially road users, thought the Vehicle Inspection Officers were off the roads.

Former Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, had banned the VIOs from operating on the roads over reported excesses.

But Fashola said, “Since the advent of this administration, citizens still believe that VIS or VIOs are still off the roads.

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“As a matter of fact, we are back on the roads to do the needful. We have embraced a lot of new practices and procedures. We have embraced technology and that still needs the presence of VIOs on our roads in Lagos where technology is limited.

“The presence of VIOs is required, so we are on the road. A lot of people still believe that we are still under the previous ban from the road.’’

According to him, the period of the ban was for the vehicle inspectors to strategise and return with fresh ideas and ways of performing their duties.

He said for the entire period the VIS was off the road, most drivers and vehicle owners became careless about roadworthiness, particulars and conditions of their vehicles.

“Some of the citizens are having difficulties with us being on the road now and we are also having difficulties with them because they don’t want to believe that we are back on roads,’’ the VIO boss said.

Fashola said only 50 per cent of vehicles in the state were roadworthy.