The Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, have called on the Federal Government to implement robust regulation, professional administration, technology and enforcement for effective road transportation.
The Mandate Secretary, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Transportation Secretariat, Charles Elechi, made this call on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2026 Annual National Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation.
According to him, governments must ensure that vehicles are roadworthy, drivers properly licensed and regulatory institutions adequately equipped.
He said that inadequate investment in inspection facilities, inconsistent standards, fragmented data systems and limited public awareness are challenges that require the government's urgent intervention.
"There should be stronger institutional capacity, improved data interoperability and technology-driven systems to enhance vehicle inspection and driver licensing.
"Also Nigeria should have lawful, transparent and accountable enforcement, supported by appropriate technology and uniform standards across states," he said.
On his part, the Director of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Abubakar Yeldu, called for coordinated government action to strengthen enforcement and restore public confidence in regulatory institutions.
Yeldu said intimidation of enforcement personnel could weaken compliance with traffic regulations and expose road users to greater risks.
The national chairman of the conference, Durojaye Olalekan, said weaknesses in driver licensing and vehicle inspection had exposed serious institutional gaps.
Olalekan expressed concern that motor vehicle administration was often treated primarily as a revenue-generating activity rather than a professional system for protecting lives.
VIO directors urge FG to strengthen road transport regulation, enforcement