The Lagos State government has disclosed that out of 26,442 vehicles inspected in January at its various computerised vehicle inspection centres in the State, 15,998 passed while 10,444 failed the minimum safety standard tests.
The government further announced the introduction of a Booking System, to address the surge recorded at some vehicle inspection centres following the take-off of its ‘No Vehicle Inspection, No Road Worthiness Certificate’ policy which commenced in January 2022.
According to a statement signed late on Tuesday by the Spokesperson of the State’s Ministry of Transportation, Mrs. Bolanle Ogunlola, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde stated that the vehicle inspection will now be based on scheduled appointments.
The commissioner further revealed that the 30 days window of inspection period has been reviewed to 60 days to reduce panic surge presently seen in some of the inspection test centres, adding that the backlog of already referred vehicles will be cleared between now and February 14 to give room for the Booking System.
Oladeinde also maintained that the policy introduced to clamp down on rickety vehicles responsible for incessant accidents, loss of lives and property within the metropolis is equally meant to address the traffic congestion caused by several breakdowns of vehicles on the road.
The Transport Commissioner affirmed that public transport owners are not left behind in the new policy regime as some have had their vehicles already checked. Vehicle Inspection Officers are also engaging other commercial drivers at various motor parks for vehicle checks to further reduce the convergence of vehicles at the inspection test centres.
He also stated that the State Government is ramping up a consultation with private partners with vehicle inspection facilities to increase the present existing 27 centres spread across the State, with 5 more mobile test centres already on the way.
Applauding motorists who have submitted to the inspection at the Lagos State Computerised Centres across the State, the Commissioner noted that out of 26,442 that were inspected in January, 15,998 passed, while 10,444 failed the minimum safety standard tests, adding that some of the failed vehicles have reported for a retest while awaiting others.
While urging residents of the State, especially motorists to cooperate fully with the new policy to further ease traffic flow, and improve safety, the Transport Commissioner maintained that a seamless transportation system is key to achieving a multi-modal megacity.