Transport dept pulls trigger on certification company

Sweden-based service provider failed to deliver agreed services

LAHORE:

The Punjab Transport Department has tightened the noose around the neck of a third-party service provider that had to deliver vehicle fitness certification in the province.

According to details gathered by the Express Tribune, the transport department has cautioned the Sweden-based company of dire consequences for its failure to resume the process of vehicle certification.

Under the agreement with Opus, global leader in the vehicle inspection, had promised to establish certification centres across 36 districts of Punjab within two years. However, the company only managed to establish its centres in 26 districts. The provincial transport department claims it has provided land for the construction of all centres.

Vehicle fitness certification is mandated by governments all over the world to keep the roads safe. During the process, vehicles are inspected to ensure they conform with safety standards. These inspections are required periodically.

In Punjab’s cases, the inspections came to a grinding halt during the Coronavirus outbreak. Shortly after the situation improved, Transportation Secretary Shehryar Sultan, sent a letter to the company’s vice president, asking him to resume the service.

Under the agreement the services can be suspended for up to 90 days in an event of an emergency. But this is only possible when both parties agree. In this case, sources familiar with the matter said, Opus demanded an extension in the suspension of services, which was rejected by the department.

“A legal notice has been sent to the company by the department,” claimed Transportation Secretary Shehryar Sultan, while talking to the Express Tribune.

The department, Sultan said, has not violated the agreement. On the other hand, Opus appears to be in a direct violation of the agreement. The transportation secretary further said that the Swedish company also failed to run an awareness campaign about the vehicle certification and fitness, which was part of the deal.

Sultan said vehicle inspection manuals were never provided to the enforcement staff. Furthermore, during an inspection of the service centre at Kala Shah Kaku, the department noticed several irregularities.

“Opus had to pay a fine of over three million,” said one official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The dispute between the provincial transport department and the vehicle fitness certification company has had a chain reaction. Details gathered by The Express Tribune show that the absence of vehicle certification has also delayed new registrations and issuance of route permits. “This has also increased the chances of more road accidents,” cautioned the official.

To facilitate irked citizens, the transportation department is mulling over alternative ways to prevent unnecessary delays.

Commenting on the situation, Qasim Imam, General Manager at Opus said: “We want to restart the services immediately, but there is difference of opinion with the transportation department and certain issues need to be resolved.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2020.