Traffic Authority Bans Operatives From Removing Vehicle Number Plates

The Director of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Mr Abdul-Lateef Bello, has banned traffic operatives from forcefully removing vehicle number plates of traffic offenders in the territory.

The Command's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Kalu Emetu, made this known to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the order was part of the agency’s ongoing reforms.

Emetu said Bello gave the directive while presenting the new operational order to personnel of the office recently.

According to him, the operatives had rather been directed to make use of their telephone cameras to capture the number plates of such vehicles.

He added that the image of the number plate was to be sent to the directorate’s control room, saddled with the responsibility of stipulating fines on defaulters, through telephone or email messages.

“The ban is in line with world best traffic regulation practices.

“Removal of plate numbers from vehicles is out of fashion, and the territory remains a model city in Nigeria.

“Officers are called to discharge their duties professionally, as this will go a long way to determine the respect an officer will receive from residents and motorists,” Emetu stated.