Politics
Is FRSC’s New Vehicle Plate Numbers, Drivers’ Licence Regime Necessary?
In the last couple of weeks, the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Federal Inland Revenue Service have stoutly defended the proposal for a new plate number and driver’s licence regime, they claim to be more customised and would help fight crime while racking in huge revenue to government coffers. Our staff writer, Calista Ezeaku and Photographer, Prince Dele Obinna went to the streets to speak with stakeholders. Their responses.
Chief Eugene Azuobi, Transporter/Cement Dealer.
It is not necessary. But I thank God for the effort the National Assembly is making to stop it. The plate number we are using now is okay. The driver’s licence we are using is also okay. So I don’t see the essence of changing from this one to another. Again, the money they pegged the new one is very exorbitant, some people cannot afford it. It is not everybody that has a car can afford the new plate number. So, it is not necessary at all. We should continue with the existing one.
Again, FRSC is not a revenue collector. So, they are not supposed to be changing plate numbers and licences every time, just to make money. So, they should leave the old one.
Mr George Nsien Samuel, Business man.
To me, it is very necessary. Government allowed FRSC to come up with the idea of changing the plate numbers and driver’s licence. They (government) accepted it, so why trying to stop it now? The Road Safety Corp Marshal, Osita Chidoka, took the new plate number to the president, he accepted it. It was televised.
He took it to the Senate president and the speaker of House of Representatives. They accepted it. When the FRSC started selling it, for instance, I have bought it. They want to stop it after allowing people to spend so much to acquire the two. So, the point is that the new plate numbers and driver’s licence are now in circulation, let it continue.
I agree that the cost of the new one is on the high side. I spent about N45,000 to get this new plate number when I bought my car. Of course, I had a plate number and I asked them (FRSC), if I could return the old plate number to them so that I could get the new one at a reduced price but it was not done that way. So, the cost is high but it is nice. I even like this new one more than the old one. The new one portrays the image of Nigeria more.
Prince Collins Chima, Driver.
For me, I will suggest that the old vehicles, already using the old plate numbers should continue with them. The new plate numbers should be for new vehicles coming into the country. It is of no use condemning the old plate numbers and making it mandatory that everybody should buy the new one. This is because if you look at the old and the new plate numbers, there is no difference, apart from the map of Nigeria on the new one.
Mr Emma Okoli, Printer.
Yes, I have heard of the FRSC’s proposal concerning the plate numbers and driver’s licence, and I feel that it’s just too exorbitant. So, I am thinking that the price for the new plate numbers should be N5,000.00, and anybody buying a plate number for a new car should pay higher while somebody who wants to renew an old one should pay less.
So, I’m not really against the new plate numbers because of the data involved. They said that they are going to customize it so that a plate number goes with the name of the car owner and I think that is okay. For security reasons and for ease of accessing data, it is okay. Although I doubt if that will be achievable in Nigeria because of the level of corruption and insincerity.So, that’s why I am afraid if it will work. We want to compare ourselves with countries abroad yes abroad it works, but in Nigeria, not everything works the way it is supposed to work. If they really want to keep a data base, they have to have another information base, where they can fall back on, assuming it gets lost in the system.
Mr Femi Kolawole, Seaman
This new plate number issue is a distraction to the country. The country had a plate number with five alphabets. After that, they introduced another new plate number with three alphabets. By the time those numbers finished, they went back to the old plate numbers again. Now, they have brought another new one. Why is the country coming up with different plate numbers all the time. So, I feel that this is no difference between the new and the old plate numbers. It’s a disturbance, it’s a stress. Somebody cannot be buying one plate number three times for one car. It is even a criminal act for one vehicle to have more than three plate numbers.
Mrs Emi Jameson, Civil Servant.
It’s not necessary. I don’t think that will solve our problem in Nigeria. We have a major problem, not that. So, there’s no need changing the plate numbers or driver’s licence. There had been several drivers’ licences. So, I don’t think the continuous change will solve any problem. It’s not necessary. It’s just to make the masses to spend. If not I don’t see any reason for that.
All the strategies they have been using to check crime, how many criminals have they tracked down. I don’t think a new plate number will help in checking crime. We’ve been hearing that but I don’t think that will be the solution to our problem. They should allow us to use the old ones we’ve been using. There is no need for a change. It’s not necessary.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.