Anambra state government said it would
investigate report on alleged fraudulent activities involving officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the state.
Commissioner for Transport, Mr Afam Mbanefo gave the assurance in a chat with newsmen following public outcry on fraudulent activities by officials of the inspectorate.
He said that the Governor Willie Obiano-led administration has zero tolerance for corruption.
There have been complaints by vehicle owners alleging harrasement and extortions by officials of the inspectorate, including impounding of their vehicles.
A victim who spoke to journalists in confidence alleged that his car was impounded for three days by the officers for refusing to a pay a fine of N50,000.
“The VIO officials claimed that one of my vehicle document which I paid for its renewal was fake. They said they have checked on database for vehicle license and saw that I have problem.
“I tried to explain to them that I made the payment through a state revenue official, whom I later brought to clear me, yet they confiscated my vehicle for three days,” he said.
The victim however said his car was later released to him following the intervention of some journalists.
“After the invitation of the Motor Registration Staff of Anambra Internal Revenue Service who processed the papers failed, I drew attention of some journalists and the moment they realized that media people had stepped in, the officials called me to come and take my car.
The VIO officials had first told me to bring N100,000, later N50,000 before reducing the money to N30,000 over the offence they said it’s official charge was N7,500.
Reacting, Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer Macdonald Achuam claimed that some motorists forge government document.
“What we’re doing is to help normalize the system because our investigations shows that some people drive with fake documents.
“When you forged government document, you have to pay fine but I wouldn’t know who will pay,” he said.
An impeacable source from the Ministry of Transport, Anambra revealed that the VIO officials were in very serious racketting which they have used to expolit many unsuspecting motorists.
“What is happening in the VIO is serious racketting being supervised by a political appointee and many vehicle owners have fallen victims already.
“The person acting as State VIO is even somebody that refued to handover to the main state deployed from Ministry of Works who is on higher grade level,” he said.
Mbanefo told journalists that the ministry would investigate the complaints, assuring that no fraudulent person will be spared.
He said the AIRS and VIO had distinct but complimentary roles, adding that what was more important to the VIO was that vehicles are road worthy.
“Ideally, VIO has stipulated and strategically defined roles, they should know exactly what their role is, we will investigate this complaint.
“The officials are not supposed to take money for what they should not take money for or charged for an offence they are not supposed to charge because the penalties are clear and open, every payment must go into government single account,” he said.
