Inspection rush continues

TWO days after a five-month moratorium on inspections expired, people continued to rush to various stations across the country to get their vehicles inspected.

The main complaint was a shortage of inspection stickers.

But yesterday, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan was adamant there would be no extension to the moratorium, which began last July. When Newsday visited the Licensing Office in Caroni around noon, there was a long line of vehicles awaiting inspection, stretching from the compound onto the Southern Main Road.

Taxi driver Winston Pierre from San Juan said he first went to the Licensing Office in Port of Spain at 5 am. Though he was seventh in line, Pierre said he was told no inspections were done there and was sent to the Vehicle Maintenance Company (VMCOTT). Pierre told Newsday when he went to VMCOTT, he was sent to Caroni, after being told taxi inspections are not done there. He said he was now tenth in line.

Asked why he did not get his vehicle inspected earlier, Pierre replied, “I went and paid for mine early,” and was told by officials they had no stickers. Pierre said officials also told him once he got a certificate of inspection for his car, he could come back any time for the sticker. He described the process as “tedious.”

A man who declined to give his name said he had been at the office since 9 am. On why he did not get his car inspected last year, he replied, “My vehicle was under a little pressure (being repaired). I couldn’t come at that time.”

He said Government should extend the moratorium.

“Government only taking, taking and not giving anything at all,” he said.

Another man said, “You can’t drive on one kilometre of road in this country without meeting up five potholes.”

Kenny Ali said he was turned away from an inspection station in Couva three times last month, because they had no stickers.

“I am a law-abiding citizen and I can’t get to pay my inspection.” he said.

Ali said he did not get his vehicle inspected earlier because he was trying to sell it.

Sinanan said he was aware of bottlenecks at different inspection stations because of last-minute rushes, but a shortage of stickers was not a valid reason for not getting vehicles inspected. He explained that people needed to have a certificate of inspection for their vehicles to be deemed roadworthy., but asticker could be obtained subsequently.

Sinanan reiterated that after five months, people have “no excuses” for not having their vehicles inspected by now.