Thursday saw the opening of the first computerised vehicle inspection service centre by the Plateau Government.
The Plateau State Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service (PLASCVIS) centre was established through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Temple SYC Inspection Limited, Abuja, and opened by Governor Simon Lalong in Jos.
The centre was established to make sure vehicles using Plateau roads comply with international standards to prevent traffic accidents, according to Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, the Commissioner for Transportation, who spoke at the event.
He declared that the centre would support the state government’s efforts to digitise vehicle inspection.
“It will indicate the state of your vehicle in the following areas: emission system, the beam (lighting, focus, and aim), braking system, suspension system, body, tyres, and more,” he said.
He said that vehicle safety is a key component to total safety on the roads and urged vehicle owners to cooperate with the state government in maintaining their vehicles to reduce road crashes.
He urged the people of Plateau, stakeholders and partners in the road transportation business, to patronise the centre to ensure a safe, reliable and efficient transport system.
Abubakar said that the state government would also establish nine more centres across its local governments before the end of 2022.
Speaking at the event, Lalong said that the centre will improve the quality of motor vehicles, which would preserve lives and enhance safer roads for sustainable development.
He said that the centre would use information communication technology (ICT) in diagnosing faults in vehicles, as the physical examination may not give the appropriate result.
“I appeal to motorists to see this exercise as a positive development rather than one that is punitive or a waste of time,” he said.
He said that the centre established through PPP underscores the importance of collaboration in finding solutions to the challenges of development, which would also ensure efficient service.
He said his administration would continue to support private sector initiatives in bridging the gap for the provision of dividends of democracy to the people.
He urged Vehicle Inspection Officers to update their knowledge and skills in ICT to facilitate them in discharging their duties diligently.
He warned that any officer found frustrating service delivery at the centre would be sanctioned.
“I have directed that this project should be fully integrated into the State Central Billing System (CBS) to ensure transparency and accountability
“ Apart from the safety aspect, this laudable project is also a source of generating internal revenue for the state and will also provide employment for our teeming youths,” he said.
He said that enforcement would be total and comprehensive when all the centres are activated, urging all agencies of government and security services in the state to support the project.
“I also direct all Government MDAs and Local Governments to submit all official vehicles to the computerised inspection, as a way of setting the pace for private and commercial vehicles to follow,” he said.