The Niger State Government has clarified that the recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja which bars the Directorate of Vehicles Inspection Services from Stopping Vehicles, impounding them or imposing fine on Motorist does not apply to the State.
The Executive Director of Niger State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency NSMVAA), Dr Dalandi Bako disclosed this during a chat with Journalist recently in Minna.
The NSMVAA Executive Director, explained that the Court’s decision was based on the absence of a specific law in the Abuja empowering the VIO to carry out such actions adding that the case in Niger State was different.
He emphasized that the Motor Vehicle administration is a residual issue of each state of the Federation based on item 163 part 1 of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In view of this, Dr Bako said each State of the Federation was expected to have a law that empowers it to conduct the activities of Motor Vehicle administration in the right perspectives within their domain.
According to him, in Niger State the statutory instrument of operation is Road Traffic Law Cap 118 and the Section 40 of the Law empowers the state Governor to make regulations adding that in 2012 the NSMVAA had their regulatory instruments.
However, the continuous challenges of litigation from those who were not satisfied with Regulations as an instrument for motor vehicle administration compel the NSMVAA to approached State House of Assembly for a law that would guide their operations.
In 2021, a law establishing the operation of Niger State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency was passed by the State House of Assembly and Assented to by the then State Governor.
” It is important to note that the Section 20 of the law spelt out all the power as regards to confiscation, impounding as well as imposing fine on Motor Vehicle within Niger State.” Dr Bako concluded.
