Cliffsimeon Akalonu
The Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Office said it has commenced the issuance distribution of compliance letters to corporate organizations, associations, unions institutions and other professional bodies to present their fleet for the computerised vehicle inspection, the state’s VIO Director Engr Akin George Fashola ssaid yesterday.
Fashola, in a statement issued by the Head of Research, Planning and Development Engr Olumide Olayemi said the move was in line with the vision of the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, in which Traffic Management and Transportation is one of the pillars of his administration.
The letter titled statutory inspection of vehicles for road worthiness mandates all private sector players to present vehicles in their fleet for the computerised vehicle inspection.
He stated that this measure becomes necessary as part of the drive to ensure that vehicles plying the State’s roads meets the minimum standards of safety as vehicles are expected to drive with a valid and updated Road Worthiness Certificate as well as MOT Test Certificate.
He stated; “Fleet vehicles fall under the spectrum of commercial vehicles whose risks must be mitigated to ensure they are safe at all times for use by staff. This is why it is necessary to ensure that the vehicles must be inspected to determine its road worthiness status”.
According to Engr. Fashola “recipients of the demand for compliance letters have been issued road worthiness certificates but are yet to present the vehicles at its Lagos Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service, LACVIS, test centres. Hence, administrators of fleet of vehicles have an obligation to carry out the statutory inspection and to be informed if there are any defects detected which will form part of their fleet policy maintenance routines.”
He added “This inspection of fleet also covers heavy goods vehicles, tankers and trailers which are duly registered in Lagos State and plying Lagos State roads. Our vehicle inspection report empowers fleet managers, maintenance officers and administrators to have a comprehensive overview of the status of vehicles and advise on repairs based on the kind of defects discovered whether minor, major or dangerous defects”.
He advised all recipients of the demand for compliance letters to schedule the inspection at a time most convenient for them within a two-week period. This he said is to help prevent any disruption to their activities and to ensure that inspections are carried out on vehicles in plenty of time.
The Director has urged the public to take this seriously by complying with directive and adhere to all instructions highlighted in the letter.