What Nigerians think about states banning VIOs

It was banned out-rightly in Lagos and Lagosians are most grateful. They actually do more harm than good and truth is, they are just extortionists like their other counterparts. Basically, we would appreciate if actual inspections are done, but it has to be much more systematic and with the objective of actually ensuring a vehicle’s road worthiness. Maybe they should even focus more on the commercial vehicles, since they ply the roads more often and in more dilapidated state.

Zainab Tanimu, 50, Public Servant, Sardauna Cresent, Kaduna

The ban of VIOs is a welcome idea because individuals received different kinds of harassment from them. From the looks of things, KASTELA is doing a good job going by the manner in which commercial vehicles and cyclists address them. They no longer park indiscriminately and they, to some extent, obey traffic rules and regulations. I was in a bus once and wanted to stop at a particular spot when the driver said “don’t you see the KASTELA agents on the road?” The fear of KASTELA is greater.

Rahila Abdullahi, 30, Journalist, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna 

The banning of VIOs and the establishment of the Kaduna state Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) is good because VIOs behaved rudely to people. However, the present agency needs to undergo a lot of training because sometimes they arrest people harshly. The other day while trying to arrest a motorcyclist, they threw him off the motorcycle to make their arrest.

AIn the 1970s VIOs, before you become a road marshal, you must go to a technical school. From there you gain experience about vehicles. Perhaps, because of the corruption in the society today that is why they (VIO) are this way. They don’t do their work. To make matters worse, their vehicles are not in order. You want to put someone else’s house in order when yours is terrible? In most cases, when they stop cars, they bargain and don’t prosecute drivers. Sometimes they simply delay motorists. Even the revenue doesn’t go to the government anymore. Their removal from the roads in some states is appropriate.  

Ramatu Sani, 38, Civil Servant, Anguwan Dosa, Kaduna

Sometimes the VIOs overdo things. You can imagine standing in front of a moving car in the name of stopping an offender. It seems the Kaduna agency is doing better. It also looks like there is more discipline in the system than there was before, so it is a welcome development.

Nafisa Muhammad, 19, Typist, Unguwan Muazu, Kaduna 

The banning of the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in Kaduna was a welcome initiative by the present administration. It is as if the governor read the people’s minds because the VIOs have in the past caused many avoidable accidents. It is my hope that in future, the Kaduna agency does not borrow a leaf from their predecessor’s and that is why the state government needs to check their activities at all times.

Salisu Shua’aibu, Commercial Motorcyclist, Kuje, Abuja

It’s good that VIOs are being replaced, after all, what’s their work aside defrauding citizens? If for example they find they cannot hold you for any reason, they fabricate it. But then, again if they are not replaced with those that are capable, we go back to the same problem. If they do not work, there’s no use.  

Asabe Idoma, 40, Journalist, Kaduna 

I think it is a welcome development because they will be able to get more revenue for the state. The other problem is that the personnel of the present agency will need to be schooled and monitored in a manner that they perform their duties well, especially on how they address people. Their job entails that they be polite to people and they should not arrest people on any slight offence; there should at least be a warning.