The Conference of Directors and Chief Road Traffic Officers of the Federation has called for improved motor vehicle administration to enhance national security and road traffic safety in Nigeria.
The National Chairman of the association, Paul Bepeh, made the call in Jos, Plateau State, on Monday while addressing a press conference, as part of the activities marking the 2025 national conference for officers from the 36 states of the federation.
The conference, hosted by Plateau State, has the theme: “Enhancing National Security and Road Traffic Safety through Effective Motor Vehicle Administration in Nigeria.”
Bepeh stressed that effective motor vehicle administration was crucial to achieving road safety and national security.
“The administration of motor vehicles is far more than a matter of routine regulation; it is a pillar of national security.
“A country’s ability to identify, track, and regulate vehicles and drivers directly affects its capacity to safeguard lives, protect property, and enforce laws.
“When vehicle registration, inspection, and licensing processes are inconsistent or poorly coordinated, unroadworthy vehicles, untrained drivers, and untraceable vehicles find their way onto our roads.
“These gaps not only endanger road users but also provide loopholes for crimes such as smuggling, kidnapping, terrorism, and vehicle theft,” he said.
Bepeh highlighted the challenges facing Vehicle Inspection Officers and Motor Vehicle Administration systems, including overemphasis on revenue generation, neglect of vehicle inspection, poor legal framework, and lack of standardised processes.
He called for a unified legal framework, automation and digital transformation, capacity building, public enlightenment, and inter-agency collaboration to address these challenges.
“To address these challenges, the conference advocates for a unified and strengthened legal framework for vehicle inspection, registration, and licensing across the 36 states and the FCT.
“Automation and digital transformation of all motor vehicle administration processes to enhance transparency and traceability.
“Capacity building through continuous training and retraining of VIOs in modern inspection techniques and technology.
“Public enlightenment and attitudinal reorientation to change the perception of vehicle inspection from a punitive measure to a safety service.
“Inter-agency collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, police, customs, and other relevant bodies to ensure a coordinated approach to road traffic enforcement,” he said.
Bepeh, who was represented by the General Secretary, Durojaye Olalekan, also advocated for adequate funding and institutional reform to strengthen VIO structures and improve officer welfare.
“This conference will provide us the opportunity to deliberate on these critical issues, learn from global best practices, and design sustainable reforms,” he said.
Plateau State Commissioner for Transportation, Jatau Gyang, welcomed participants to the conference, highlighting the state’s transportation initiatives, including the Jos Greater Master Plan and Tin City Metro Buses.
Gyang noted that these initiatives had improved commuting safety and convenience in Jos, aligning with the conference theme of enhancing security and safety in road transportation.
Our correspondent reports that the national conference will last for three days.
