Breaking: 2 years after Ambode’s ban, VIO return to Lagos

Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) in Lagos state have returned to their duty posts two years after ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode barred them from operating on Lagos roads.
The director, VIS, Lagos State, Akin-George Fashola, made the disclosure on Thursday, November 21.
Fashola said the Vehicle Inspection Officers, popularly known as VIOs will be working on the road to ensure safety of lives and enforce motor vehicles’ road-worthiness.
The VIS boss said the agency has now embraced new best practices and the use of technology in carrying out its duties. Fashola said: “Since the advent of this administration, citizens still believe that VIS or VIOs are still off the roads.
We are not off the roads. As a matter of fact, we are back on the roads to do the needful.
“He said the responsibilities of the VIS include ensuring that their vehicles are always in top shape, renewal of vehicles’ particulars and obtaining driver’s licence.
Fashola called on motorists in the state to cooperate with the service just as he urged them to ensure they obtain all necessary documents that guaranteed and qualified them to be on the road.
According to him, driving without required particulars is an offence punishable under the law.
He said that the minimum fine is N20,000 for not having a licence.
ABUJAPEOPLE recalls that in May 2017, the former Lagos state governor, Ambode of Lagos, said the ban of VIOs from Lagos roads was permanent.
Ambode also asked officers of the Federal Road Service Corps, (FRSC) to stay off all state roads. According to him, the VIOs and the FRSC contributed significantly to traffic gridlock in the state.
In place of the VIOs, Ambode said the state government would employ technology to track and monitor vehicle registration and certification.