The Plateau State Government has begun a wider stakeholder engagement aimed at addressing the challenges surrounding the operations of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), following recent confrontations between officers and members of the public.
The Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, said the temporary suspension of VIO activities was not only to review the conduct of officers, but also to seek the support of professional bodies and stakeholders in building a more effective, lawful and professional system.
Jatau made this known during separate engagements with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Jos.
At the NUJ, the commissioner urged journalists to play a more active role in reporting both the positive and negative experiences of motorists with VIO personnel.
He described the media as a watchdog capable of drawing government’s attention to problems that may not be immediately visible to officials, urging journalists to provide objective and constructive feedback.
“The media is the eye of the public. We need you to tell us what we cannot see. If our officers are doing well, report it. If they are failing, do not hide it. Your honest feedback will help us build a system that works for everyone,” Jatau said.
The NUJ Chairperson, Mrs. Ayiku Pwaspo, commended the Commissioner for initiating the engagement, describing the move as a welcome step towards addressing concerns through dialogue and constructive interaction.
“This kind of open conversation is what we need. The media will continue to serve as a bridge between the government and the people, and we appreciate that the Commissioner has recognized the importance of our role,” she said.
At the FRSC, the commissioner sought stronger collaboration, particularly in the training and retraining of VIO personnel to meet modern operational standards.
He said the recent attacks on VIO officers had exposed the need to review existing strategies before the officers return to the roads, stressing that enforcement must be carried out in a manner that promotes safety, professionalism and public confidence.
The Plateau Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Adelaja S. Ogungbemi, supported the call for closer collaboration, noting that VIO remained important to vehicle administration and roadworthiness.
Ogungbemi urged the ministry to use the suspension period to review its operations and strengthen personnel through continuous training, while also calling for greater public enlightenment on the duties of VIO officers.
At the NBA, Jatau shifted attention to the legal dimension of the crisis, seeking the association’s support in educating motorists and enforcement officers on their rights and responsibilities.
He urged the NBA to challenge the ministry whenever its officials acted wrongly, while also encouraging citizens who felt aggrieved by VIO operations to seek legal redress rather than resort to physical confrontation.
“The law is our foundation. If any of our officers oversteps their bounds, we want the NBA to call us out. And if a motorist has a genuine grievance, the courtroom is the right place to seek justice, not the streets,” the commissioner stated.
The commissioner acknowledged concerns over alleged high-handedness by some VIO personnel, saying the ministry was working to address such excesses. He, however, maintained that grievances must be resolved through lawful channels.
The Chairman of the NBA, Jos Branch, Mr. Morgan Dung, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court, said the association was ready to support efforts to improve VIO operations, stressing the need for both officers and motorists to understand their legal responsibilities.
He called for greater public enlightenment and peaceful resolution of disputes, noting that better understanding of the statutory responsibilities of VIO officers could help reduce confrontations and promote safer roads in Plateau State.
“This is not about taking sides. It is about ensuring that the law is respected by everyone, both officers and motorists alike. When both parties know their limits and their rights, confrontation becomes unnecessary,” Dung said.
Among the commissioner delegation were Engr. Zam Jonathan, Director of Vehicle Inspection; Engr. Bitrus David, Director of Transport Operations; and Engr. Celestine Gogwim, Director of Administration and other officers of the VIO.
