Overload
By Kelechi Ogunleye
Abuja, April 13, 2018 (NAN) The FCT Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) has advised passengers of commercial vehicles in the territory to refuse overloading of such vehicles by the drivers.
The Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mr Kalu Emetu, gave the advise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Emetu said commuters should know that it was their right to reject overloading.
“We educate members of the public that it is their right to refuse overloading but many do not listen because they are in a hurry to get to their destinations,” he said.
He said when drivers overloaded the vehicles they were dehumanising the passengers.
“That somebody is a commuter does not mean that he or she is not worth living or should not be respected,” he said.
According to Emetu, the agency frowns at overloading and will not allow any drivers to overload their vehicle with passengers.
He explained that there were different methods of cautioning defaulters by VIO officers.
He said officers could manage the issue of defaulters by applying either the advisory or enforcement method.
“It could be advisory by striving to enlighten the driver that he is not suppose to carry more than the vehicle capacity.
“During enforcement we impound the vehicles and the officer will delay you to serve as a lesson,” he said.
The spokesman also said that VIO officer who impounded a defaulter’s vehicle did so to deter other motorists from committing the offence.
“We try to correct such behaviors from defaulters through our actions and through fines.
“When you are fined we can easily put you off the road,” he said.
Emetu advised road users to simply obey when asked to stop, but should raise alarm when being delayed unnecessarily.
He said members of the public could channel their complaints to the agency’s Public Relations Department or the agency’s SERVICOM department as appropriate action would be taken against any erring officer. (NAN)
KAYC/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf