The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer in Enugu State, Val Chime, has urged the state government to approve the recruitment of at least 60 new officers to address manpower shortages in the agency.
Speaking in Enugu on Monday, Chime explained that the agency is currently operating across six zones in the state but has plans to expand its reach to other key areas. According to him, such expansion would help reduce road accidents caused by vehicles that are unfit for use.
At present, only 13 regular officers remain in service, with the agency relying heavily on ad-hoc staff to carry out its daily inspection duties. Chime warned that the current staff structure is unsustainable, stressing the need for younger recruits who can be trained, mentored, and eventually take over from the ageing workforce.
“Our job demands energy, alertness, and resilience,” he said. “We need fresh hands who can be properly groomed to handle the risks and responsibilities that come with the role.”
Chime appealed directly to Governor Peter Mbah and the Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, to consider the request, pointing out that no other state in the federation has fewer than 50 regular VIO officers. He cited Anambra State as an example, where more than 200 officers are deployed across the 21 local government areas.
Beyond manpower, Chime also called for urgent support in logistics, particularly the provision of operational vehicles. He described the absence of official vehicles as discouraging for staff and limiting to the agency’s effectiveness.
Despite these challenges, Chime commended Governor Mbah for his administration’s sweeping improvements in road infrastructure and transportation systems. He highlighted the recently introduced 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, the establishment of five modern bus terminals, the “Iji card” digital payment system, and the expansion of Enugu Air as groundbreaking initiatives reshaping mobility in the state.
According to him, these projects, coupled with well-maintained roads in urban centres, are setting a new standard in transportation management that other states are already beginning to emulate.
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