Date: 2018-11-11

An appeal has gone to the federal government to work towards reducing the high cost of vehicle spare parts in the country.

The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO's) Engineer Michael Bamidele made the plea in Ilorin ,the Kwara state capital while answering questions on a Radio Kwara personality interview programme "Playing Host".

Engineer Bamidele noted that due to the high cost of vehicle spare parts which is not affordable, motorists result to substandard products which might lead to accidents.

He disclosed that VIO's at their various national conferences have raised the alarm over the high cost of vehicle spare parts and other accesories which called for governments immediate intervention.

According to him, the roles of VIO's is beyond checking the particulars of vehicle alone which is just the secondary aspect of their assignment but also to protect lives and properties of road users.

Speaking on the ember months and the rate of accidents during this period of the year, the spokesman of the agency who is also the state Deputy Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer said there is little or no difference between other months and ember months, except that motorists particularly commercial drivers are always out of patience and in a hurry to get to their various destinations during the ember months which is crowded with varioussicial activities.

He cautioned motorists against driving after taking alchohol and avoid excessive speeding, maintain reasonable speed stressing that the agency in conjunction with other organizations are always sensitizing road users to abide strictly by road signs and symbols and the need to check their engines and tyres before hitting the road.

Engineer Bamidele disclosed that there is synergy between VIO's and other organizations such as the FRSC and KWARTMA in the discharge of their duties and appealed to vehicle owners to cooperate with them while motorists should report to their headquarters any of their officers or men that demand gratification from them or disrespect them on the highway.

He commended the state government for embarking on road repairs since the rain is subsiding and urged motorists to cooperate with workers of KWARMA where road repairs are ongoing.