Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Some residents in Lagos State weekend expressed dissatis­faction over the violation of the directives of Governor Ba­bajide Sanwo-Olu by officials of the Vehicle Inspection Ser­vices (VIS) in the state.

VIS is a state traffic reg­ulating agency that ensures presence of sound vehicles on the road. The agency is a directorate of the Ministry of Transportation.

The governor, in Novem­ber 2019, ordered the state’s Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to desist from oper­ating during the morning.

According to the governor, the move is to curb traffic gridlock experienced during the peak periods as it is per­ceived that VIOs contribute to the gridlock as they normally stop vehicles during peak pe­riods to demand for vehicle documents.

According to him, the of­ficers would now operate be­tween 12.00p.m and 3.00p.m.

“We are going to restrict the operation of the men of the VIO to off-peak periods be­tween the hours of 12 mid-day and 3pm,” he said.

Based on the governor’s directives, the VIOs adjusted their schedules and were only seen in operation between the hours of 12p.m and 3p.m, a move many Lagosians ap­plauded.

However, since the com­mencement of the partial lock­down in the state, VIOs have been seen on the roads operat­ing as early as 9a.m in places like Ojodu Berger, Surulere, Ojota, Abule-Egba, Victoria Island, and other areas.

Speaking with our corre­spondent, Ogunwale Alabi, a businessman, said he chal­lenged some VIOs operating in Surulere on what they were doing on the road in the morn­ing but they couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer.

“I saw them at Alaka area of Surulere on Wednesday. They were arresting vehicles and there was a long queue due to their operations.

“When I got to where they were, I asked them why they were on the road but they said they were enforcing traf­fic guidelines on COVID-19. That, to me, is not convincing enough as they were stopping private vehicles, too.”

Also speaking on the devel­opment, Barr. Monday Ubani, former Second Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Associa­tion (NBA), said Governor Sanwo-Olu should address Lagosians on why the direc­tive he gave concerning the operation of VIOs was being flouted.

“My take is that our laws and our pronouncements are obeyed. It is not in the inter­est of any leader to make a pronouncement after which that directive will be observed in breach. That is not how to move the country or the state forward.

“I think the right thing is to remind the governor – and I want you to put this partic­ular question directly to the commissioner or any of the governor’s aides.

“What has happened to the pronouncement which the governor has made on the operation time of VIOs which is now being observed in breach?

“But what I will say at the moment is that it is very con­demnable for a governor to make a pronouncement and people who are his workers will be disobeying that par­ticular order.”

When contacted, Engr. Akin-George Fashola, Di­rector, Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service, admitted that his men were operating in the morning but added that their activities are not illegal.

“They are not violating the law. You will also recall that there is a restriction of movement, the lockdown has not been fully lifted.

“They are working to en­sure that commercial vehicles adhere to the traffic guide­lines that have been laid down by the government in terms of passenger capacity.”

Also echoing Fashola’s po­sition, Bola Ogunmola, Public Affairs Director, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, said: “I think it is because this is a special period that we didn’t bargain for.

“When you see them on the road, it is not that they are controlling traffic.”

https://www.independent.ng/lagosians-groan-as-vios-violate-sanwo-olus-directives/

Hunger drove the men out, simple.

No wonder Ambode banned them from the roads. Crazy fellows

They are in for trouble

Nigerian criminals in uniform will always fight back when you try to take away the main source of their sustenance.

check my dp and like it.

“They are not violating the law. You will also recall that there is a restriction of movement, the lockdown has not been fully lifted.

Still don't understand your defence Engr. Akin George

Don't mind him..defending illegality instead of apologising

Tadeknkeepcalm:

Still don't understand your defence Engr. Akin George

That's not you

delectablegyal:
check my dp and like it.

Criminals. They are on the road to frustrate motorists. All the men in Uniform in Nigeria are all criminals.
Have you ever asked why police officers don't go on the mandatory annual leave? Or have you seen a civil servant go leave? They don't complain and you will never hear them cry for that.

It's not because they love their job but because they bribe the collect every day will elude them if they go on leave.

This system will be different in Biafra's land.
There will no be bribery in Biafra land

Which trouble? The governor likes it. More money for him

BlowYourMind:
They are in for trouble

Iffa hear

Ogonimilitant:
Criminals. They are on the road to frustrate motorists. All the men in Uniform in Nigeria are all criminals.
Have you ever asked why police officers don't go on the mandatory annual leave? Or have you seen a civil servant go leave? They don't complain and you will never hear them cry for that.

It's not because they love their job but because they bribe the collect every day will elude them if they go on leave.

This system will be different in Biafra's land.
There will no be bribery in Biafra land

Lol... Why won't they violate his directives when they already know he is not the one in charge, he is just a puppet and those at the top can decide to withdraw his second term ticket.

F

The masters need more money for 2023 project

udemzyudex:
Lol... Why won't they violate his directives when they already know he is not the one in charge, he is just a puppet and those at the top can decide to withdraw his second term ticket.

Space for sell.... Come with your application

As in they want to cut their own share too. When police officers are collecting at least #500 from the commercial vehicles on the road, what do you expect? VIO will want to go and cut their own too, a lot of people are using COVID-19 to exploit their fellow citizens.

Again?

K

B

The gods are crazy in nigeria
To follow simple instruction na problem


2 odeku and 1 plate of pepper soup each for everybody on this thread

How will they eat without working in the morning ..won't they take their breakfast...that rule is null and void.

Ok

Meanwhile

Copy movies into your hard drive if you stay in ph or buy preloaded drive with movies sent to any location,check signature

That's their headache they should sort it out in their boardroom meeting...Local man is tired already

Only in Nigeria.................





If this guys catch you for morning ehn, they've ruined your dau completely. Very annoying and wicked set of people. Las las na to send those VIO to sambisa.... Let them go and show their muscles there

Sanwo is just a representative there are goons underground.

Only Fashola ruled Lagos authoritative without being disturbed by Goons.

With what happened in Kwara state now in Ado state, god fatherism in Nigeria is coming to end.

Lol. Why should the law apply to the people enforcing it?

Lawlessness of Lagos. When the governor is a puppet. The real governor is at Bourdilon.

In Abuja even when VIO are already on the road before 9am be it 7am or 8am. They dare not stop any vehicle.

I once saw one of their boss who was passing and he noticed a VIO car stationed nearby . He parked his car a few meters away and walked to go see if they were violating the rules and when he saw they were not operating he quietly walked away and continued his journey.