By Prince Woke
The Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO)/Road Traffic Officers (RTO) led by Mr Voke Emore and Engr. Monibo Akobo respectively, have intensified sensitization on the roles of VIO, RTO, what constitutes road traffic offences, the essence of Central Motor Registry Information System CMRIS and vehicle inspection.
Mr Emore in an interview said PCRC is a bridge between the Police and the community, and also ensures the community is policed the right way.
“We are here to sensitize the community on the roles of VIO and RTO, why they need to be on the road to ensure our roads are safe. The VIO need to be empowered by the State Government. They need to be more equipped in terms of manpower and logistics to do their work effectively.
“The roles of VIO cannot be over emphasized. When there is an accident, in some cases, the Police call in the VIO to ascertain if the vehicle is road worthy and certified in the first place, if the vehicle is not certified, the person can be arraigned in court.
“We are also sensitizing commercial vehicle drivers to get all their papers and ensure their vehicles are road worthy. It may interest you to know that most commercial drivers do not have car papers and driver’s license” he said.Mr Emore also backed the checking of diver’s license and CMRIS registration by the Police.
“The Police ask for driver’s license to ascertain if the person is fit to drive in the first place. Secondly, to ascertain if the person is the owner of the car. CMRIS is not enforceable but advisable because it makes it easier for a stolen vehicle to be recovered” Mr Emore stated.
The Rivers PCRC State Chairman, urged the public to make use of the Complaint Response Unit,CRU Police number 08161355218 to report any compliant against any erring Police officer in Rivers State.
On his part, Mr Monibo Akobo the Chief VIO/RTO in Rivers state said the officers people see on the road are RTO personnel and they have the right to check vehicle papers while VIO checks the vehicle to ascertain its road worthiness when is brought to the office.
“VIO check road worthiness of the vehicle while RTO checks insurance papers and other relevant documents. Many drivers, especially commercial vehicle drivers don’t have driver’s license, head lamp, horns etc. We are advising the drivers to put their vehicles and papers in order within this period of grace” he said.
He advised drivers not to see RTO/VIO personnel as threat but as friends and partners in progress.
On the issue of sitting arrangement in a vehicle, he said carrying two passengers at the front seat for a small saloon car is a traffic offence. “It’s supposed to be one passenger at the front seat while three passengers at the back seat” he said.The Chief VIO officer also revealed plan to give out phone numbers for complaints by members of the public against any erring officer of the group as VIO/RTO takes respect for human rights and dignity of persons seriously.
