FCT Licenses Private Firm To Duplicate VIO Role

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has signed an agreement for the operation of the Abuja Computerised Vehicle Testing Service (ACVTS) with a private company, Temple Resources Limited.

The service when operative will duplicate the statutory role of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) or Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), of vehicle inspection and testing for road worthiness.

The DRTS, a department of the FCT administration under the Transportation Secretariat, is currently saddled with the duty of inspecting, testing, issuing certificates of road worthiness and registering vehicles in the territory, as enshrined in the law setting it up.

The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, who signed the agreement on behalf of the administration, said the service would provide world class vehicle inspection that would usher numerous benefits to the territory and the country at large.

The minister listed the advantages derivable from the system to include enhanced road safety, environmental protection, long term revenue for government and better security among others, stressing that safety and security were key components, not only in the transportation but all other sectors of the society.

He observed that with the increasing challenges posed by rapid population growth, including greater vehicular movement within the FCT, the introduction of a computerised vehicle testing service had become imperative, adding that the administration decided to involve the private sector because it was not possible for government to exclusively implement all the programmes.

Mohammed maintained that with the introduction of the ACVTS, the days of rickety private or commercial vehicles in the FCT were now numbered.

The chairman of Temple Resources Limited, the operators of the ACVTS, Mr. Olatunde Ayeni, said the ACVTS would test the road worthiness of vehicles and identify any defect, such as faulty brakes, suspension and rusty bodywork, which must be repaired and the vehicle must pass a retest before the owner could be issued a road worthiness certificate.

On his part, the secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Engr. Jonathan Achara, said all vehicles operating within the FCT would be required to undergo a minimum of two tests per annum, adding that all vehicles driving through FCT roads may be intercepted at any point and subjected to computerised road worthiness tests.

He said the scheme would become operational after adequate sensitisation of the public.

Source: Leadership