Motorists in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have faulted the proposed plan by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to introduce new vehicle number plates and drivers license.
A cross-section of motorists who spoke with LEADERSHIP in Abuja yesterday, condemned the action of the FRSC, as they said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the number plates currently used, adding that when introduced, it would be an additional financial burden for car owners.
One of them, Malam Yunusa Bako, noted that the new number plates may come at an exorbitant cost and many people will not be able to afford it because of the economic situation in the country.
He said, “Where do you expect Nigerians to bring out money at this time of economic crunch for number plates? Government should please reverse the proposal.”
Another motorist, Mahmud Dantata said despite claims by the FRSC that it was going to introduce new features, including an identification tag, improved security features and bolder embossed character on the number plate, none of the proposed improvements was different from what already existed.
According to him, the move is an attempt to deprive states of internally generated revenue and further disintegrate the institutional framework of the road transport sub-sector in the country.
Dantata further lamented that the FRSC did not follow the normal administrative procedures to effect the changes on the number plate, just as he faulted its claim that Nigeria was currently loosing N15 billion annually to vendors of fake vehicle licences, saying it had not carried out a review of the vehicle identification scheme and consulted with the agencies involved.
He maintained that state’s internal revenue boards should be held responsible for the loses if there were any, while the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) should be held responsible at the federal level, adding that the FRSC who produce the number plates and also print out licenses should be investigated, when looking at the activities of fraudster.
“If the vehicle identification scheme does not achieve the planned purpose, then the FRSC has failed in its conception and design of the scheme.”
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