3rd August, 2011
Govenor Babatunde Fashola today launched an electronic device to check whether vehicles have valid documents without engaging in manual stop and check of vehiclesâ€
The device, Auto Inspector, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and will help to reduce traffic gridlock on Lagosâ€
With the device, stolen vehicles can also be easily identified as the device could tell the name of the owners of such vehicles as well as the history of such vehicles.
Launching the device today at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria, Fashola said Lagos had joined the league of selected cities in the developing world where traffic management and compliance with vehicle documentation regulations had been revolutionised with the introduction of high-tech device.
“Traffic congestion experience on Lagos roads is some of the time compounded when traffic control and law enforcement officers stop motorists to check their vehicle particulars and determine their documentation status which hitherto was done manually.
“This is avoidable stress and the same purpose of checking particulars and documentation of vehicles can be achieved through automation utilising technology without disturbing the flow of traffic,†he said.
According to him, the auto inspector service would enable traffic control and law enforcement officers to simply punch the registration number of a vehicle into a hand-held electronic device and instantly determine the vehicle and vehicle ownerâ€
“The hand-held auto inspector device will be issued to and used by officers and men of the Nigeria police, LASTMA, VIOs and ultimately, the FRSC. Vehicles that will be screened by auto inspector are those registered in Lagos State which have their updated documentation data including vehicle license, driverâ€
“It is also a huge boost to our crime prevention and control efforts due to instant data-capturing capabilities. It will also boost e-governance,†he said while advising motorists to update their vehicle documentations.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga