Construction of the largest modern motor vehicle inspection centre in the country has begun at Makongeni area of Thika, Kiambu County. The Sh 600 million worth centre that is funded by the World Bank through the national government is hoped to enhance road safety by ensuring that vehicles meet the required standards for operation.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Makongeni village, Jacob Sisey, the Director for Corporate Support Services at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed that the state-of-the-art will be the largest in the Horn of Africa region.
The new centre is not only expected to reduce congestion at the current inspection centre but will also improve the number of vehicles served from around 200 to more than 1000 vehicles every day.
At the six-lane inspection unit, Sisey said NTSA will now be able to also use simulators in testing drivers to ensure they are fit to be on the road. He noted that the project will be established in Thika which is not only central but also because it has most vehicles in the Mt Kenya region.
On her part, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a who joined Sisey during the groundbreaking ceremony noted that the significant project will create jobs and enhance the local economy.
Once operational, the lawmaker noted that the centre will play a crucial role in educating the community on road safety and enforcing traffic regulations to mitigate fatalities. She revealed that the project will see local youths, both skilled and unskilled acquire job opportunities and supply services thereby spurring economic growth of the villages along the busy Thika-Garissa highway.
Residents welcomed the project saying it will reduce congestion at the old inspection centre in Thika which has no space.
At the same time, the locals said the new centre will see other businesses sprout even as the existing ones benefit from new customers as drivers will be coming from as far as Meru to have their vehicles inspected.
An inspection unit enables the government to examine vehicles’ roadworthiness before they are driven. It ensures that required components, parts and fixtures which address the safety and pollution issues are present.
Roadworthiness checks such as brakes, steering, suspension, emissions transmission, electrical systems and assessment of general condition of the vehicle including tyres not only contribute to road safety by making sure the vehicle is functioning properly but are also important for environmental reasons.
The new inspection unit will help in saving fuel and money as mechanical systems of the vehicle affect fuel efficiency.
It will also help reduce long-term maintenance costs, minimize harmful exhaust emissions and protect the environment thereby increasing reliability of the vehicles and limit the risk of vehicle breakdown.