Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

The Anambra State Executive Council has approved the establishment of a Drivers’ Training Institute in the state.

Disclosing this during an interactive session with stakeholders in the transport sector at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Awka, Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Uche Okafor, said it would be known as Anambra State Drivers Training Institute.

Okafor, who also announced that the state would flush out fake vehicle license agents, stated when operational, the institute would help in updating biometric data of all drivers in the state.

The commissioner noted that the nomenclature of the Ministry has been reverted to Ministry of Transport. He said efforts were being made to ensure that the state’s computerised vehicle inspection laboratory becomes more operational for the overall interest of the people.

His words,  “We have an ultramodern vehicle testing centre here that will determine and detects whatever fault you have in your vehicle without you going from one mechanic or the other for guess work.

“The major thing for you to do is for you to have the biometrics data of Who and Who is driving in your state. It will help us in security and it will help us in a lot of things.”

Head of VIO in the state, Mr. Chris Okeke, who explained in details the operations, said from July 2018, all vehicles in the state that would get Road Worthiness Certificate must undergo mandatory computerised vehicle inspection at the government facility.

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According to Okeke, “You are no more going to argue with the VIO whether your vehicle is roadworthy or not. The automated system will show you with detailed analysis. If your brakes are not working, the system will tell you that you have a dangerous defect. So, your vehicle will not be allowed to step out this gate until you fix it.”

Chief Executive Officer of Oliswarren Group, Mr. Olisa Aniunoh, in his remarks, said the state government introduced automated registration (Autoreg) of motor vehicles about 10 years ago but lamented that many people still patronise fake agents.

He called for collaboration of all the stakeholders to achieve government’s aim while appealing to the people to ensure they obtain the vehicle papers from the right agents.

Commandant of Anambra Transport Management Agency (ATMA), Mr. Chris Uzoechina, called for synergy among all the stakeholders in the transport sector for optimal performance.

Also speaking the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), in Anambra State, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, said the vehicle inspection facility, built by the state government if utilised by motorists, would save lives and reduce road mishaps.

Other stakeholders including the President Urban Drivers Welfare, Comrade Nnamdi Okafor and Director of Transport, Nnamdi Azikiwe University SUG, Comrade Udoka Ogaranya, while commending the efforts of the state government, however, appealed for more time to enable them sensitise their members on the new initiative.