Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday banned the operations of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the state following reports of “widespread indiscipline, misconduct, alleged extortion and disrespect to citizens by VIO personnel.”
A government statement, signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the governor, disclosed that the closure of the VIO is due to the corruption and indiscipline of the personnel, and their lack of respect for the public.
The statement also revealed that an Executive Order giving immediate effect to this decision was signed by the governor, following the outcome of the Executive Council and the Security Council meetings.
The order stated, “All personnel of the VIO are to promptly withdraw from the streets, and the permanent staff of the agency are directed to report with their uniforms to the commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport.”
The government warned that “anyone found on Kaduna streets purporting to be a VIO from today, Tuesday, 8th December, 2015, will be treated as an impostor and will be arrested by the police for immediate prosecution for impersonation.”
“Following deliberations at the Executive Council and the Security Council meetings, the government came to the conclusion that the VIO as currently constituted does not serve the public interest. The government has noted complaints from members of the public and the security agencies regarding widespread indiscipline, misconduct, alleged extortion and disrespect to citizens by VIO personnel,” the statement reads.
