Illegal Sale Of Motor Emblems, Stickers Banned Nationwide

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Daniels Ekugo

Motorists throughout the federation can now heave a sigh of relief as the Joint Tax Board (JTB) through its Secretary, M. L. Abubakar has banned illegal sale of emblems and stickers to motor vehicle owners throughout the country.

The ban which takes immediate effect was contained in a statement issued by the Joint Tax Board.

The illegal sale of emblems and stickers on federal highways and state roads has been a source of worry to motorists as thugs, claiming to work for Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, aided by the police use clubs and other weapons to attack motorists.

Their activities on the highways peak during festive periods, especially the Yuletide season.

According to the statement, “overtime, it has come to the notice of the JTB that certain persons are in the practice of producing various types of emblems and stickers and selling same to commercial motor vehicle owners, heavy duty trucks and vehicles owned by companies under the guise of collecting tolls and levies for the government.

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“These persons engage in incessant harassments and molestation of road users to collect these illegal levies. Their activities constitute not only a nuisance, but also an embarrassment to the general public and particularly, the tax authorities at the three tiers of governments under whose guise they claim to collect these levies.”

The statement further stated that a new consolidated emblem has been designed for use across the states of the federation.

“This emblem is to be issued free of any charge to motor vehicle owners across the federation, after payment of all road taxes to the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The emblem will serve as a clearance for payment of motor vehicle registration and all other fees related thereto and would be issued annually when the relevant fees have been paid by any motor vehicle owner.

“With the introduction of this emblem, any form of harassment or intimidation by any person or group of persons with respect to payments for emblem or any stickers other than the approved one should be reported to the nearest police station, tax office or any other law enforcement agency.”

The board also advised associations, unions or clubs selling emblems or stickers to motorists for the purpose of collecting dues from their members to find other lawful means of doing so to avoid violating the order.

“All revenue agencies across the three tiers of government are by this notice advised and encouraged to adequately harness all available and approved sources of revenue without resorting to sale of items such as emblems and stickers to taxpayers.”

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