The Takeo Vehicle Technical Inspection Center was officially inaugurated on July 26, bringing the nationwide number of such facilities to 22. Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Pornea presided over the ceremony.He declared the opening of the facility a proud achievement and noted that it would bring public services closer to the people. “This new branch will save time and reduce costs for people. It also increases the efficiency and transparency of the transport ministry’s provision of public services, in accordance with the policies of the government,” he said. He explained that requests for vehicle inspections are made through the vehicle inspection automation system, noting that the system has played a major role in increasing the credibility of public services. The new Takeo centre was constructed with investment from the Cambodia Motor Vehicle Inspection Company (CMVIC). Covering an area of approximately 4,000sq m, it was begun in early October last year and completed in May.The facility features a modern suite of Chinese-made inspection equipment. These include gasoline and diesel exhaust testing devices, as well as gauges that measure braking force and vehicle weight, as well as lift and pits which allow inspectors to complete thorough visual inspections of all vehicles. At present, Cambodia has a total of 22 vehicle technical inspection centres in operation. There are 8 locations in Phnom Penh and 14 provincial facilities. The provincial centres are located in Battambang, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu, Kratie, Ratanakkiri, Kampong Chhnang, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Svay Rieng, Kampot and Takeo, according to the transport ministry. Kheang Dy, a taxi driver from Takeo’s Kirivong district, told The Post that because there was previously no inspection centre in the province, he and most other residents had to bring their vehicles to Phnom Penh whenever they were due for an inspection. Because the new facility is so close, it will be far more convenient, he explained. “There is no need for me to go all the way to Phnom Penh to have my car checked now. My car is a taxi, so it is required to be tested once a year,” he said. “I always make sure the inspection is carried out before the previous one expires,” he added. A total of 7,351,906 vehicles were registered in the Kingdom as of February this year, 6,244,096 of them motorcycles.