‘Reduce N15,000 Cost Of New Number Plate, N6,000 Driver’s Licence’

Motorists in Plateau reacted with mixed feelings to the planned introduction of a new number plate to be obtained at N15,000 and a new driver’s lincense for N6,000.

To some motorists and stakeholders, it was “a change too many”, while others described it as a “rip-off of the commonman,” by the FRSC.

Prophet Isa El-Buba, Vision Coordinator, Ebomy Ministry, Jos, described the plan as “unnecessary“ and a “waste“.

“Nigerians love waste because people have lost creativity. If not, I do not see the rationale behind such a plan by the FRSC. If FRSC has lost focus, they should not punish innocent citizens who are trying to make ends meet in this harsh economic environment.”

Mr Godfrey Hamza, a business tycoon, said he had no quarrel with the new driver’s licence, considering the innovation, but that the cost of the new number plate was a “planned rip-off“.

“The current number plate is okay. Introducing another one within a short time, is hasty and unnecessary. Unless government is introducing a unified number plate for the ECOWAS member nations, I do not see the need for it. “

Hamza said that if government was of the view that a change was necessary, “then it should bear the cost,“ and not heap it on the masses.

The Chairman, Plateau Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Mrs Rauta Jat, described the move as a welcome development, but frowned at the increase in the charges.

“FRSC has doubled the charge for driver’s licence by jacking it up to N6,000 from N3,000. It is to the benefit of both the federal and state governments. It is not good for the already pauperised populace.“

Jat said the good thing about the change in the two items, was that their production had been decentralised to give room for quick production and receipt.

“We now have plants in the Eastern, Western and Northern parts of the country for the production of number plates, while two plants in Lagos and Abuja are set up for the driver’s licence.“

Mr Samuel Odukoya, Plateau Sector Commander, FRSC, said the introduction of new number plate and driver’s licence were in the interest of all motorists.

He said the new driver’s licence had a lot of information on the holder that could be accessed anywhere and anytime in any part of the world.

“This means that even if one loses his driver’s license, all that needs to be done is to open the website and everything about the owner could be seen for authentication.“

Odukoya denied allegations that FRSC was out to milk Nigerians, saying the measure was in their interest.

In Kano, vehicle owners condemned the decision to charge N15,000 for number plate, saying there was need for consultation with stakeholders before its introduction.

Malam Mustapha Mai Mai, a vehicle owner, decried the idea, considering the financial situation in the country, which had placed people in great difficulties.

He noted that in other countries, such decisions would be subjected to public opinion, since it affected people directly.

“In Nigeria, people are just taken for granted on issues concerning them.”

Malam Sanusi Sharada, another car owner, told NAN that there was an urgent need for the Federal Government’s intervention to review the planned rates.

He said the new rates would place a serious burden on the already impoverished Nigerians, adding that private car owners would not be able to recoup their expenses like the commercial vehicle owners.

In Onitsha, Anambra, respondents urged the FRSC to reduce the rates to be charged on the two documents, considering the current economic realities.

Chief Godwin Okeke, a transport magnate, said the FRSC should consider the ordinary people and reduce the costs.

“The new scheme is welcomed, since it is all about security in the country. FRSC should, however, reduce the costs and capture all vehicles so that vehicle theft and other crimes would be checked by the system.”

Mr Paul Ejiofor, former President, United Drivers Welfare Association, Anambra (UDWAAS), said his association was against the exorbitant fees to be imposed by the FRSC.

“I cannot support such outrageous fees. This is double taxation on our members who eat from their sweat each day. There is need for a dialogue.”

Mr John Obasi, a commercial tricycle operator, said the fees were outrageous, adding that the FRSC should find a way of considering the economic means of those outside big cities, such as Abuja and Lagos.

In Awka, Anambra, vehicle owners criticised the high costs of the new number plate and driver’s licence.

The motorists and stakeholders who spoke to NAN, described the measure as an additional burden on the suffering masses.

A motorist, Mr George Obidigwe, said: “The most important thing to Nigerian motorists and commercial drivers today is how their burden can be ameliorated by government, through massive rehabilitation of all the deplorable roads that have often caused accidents, leading to loss of lives and property.”

Another motorist, Mr John Ozoemena, cautioned the FRSC against the outrageous costs of the new plate number and driver’s licence, adding that all that Nigerians wanted from government was the alleviation of their suffering.

He expressed fears that the development might force transport operators to increase fares, which would affect commuters adversely.

In Katsina, respondents urged the FRSC to rescind its decision on the planned new number plate and driver’s licence, saying it was not the priority of ordinary Nigerians.

A cross-section of the people interviewed by NAN in Katsina, Daura, Dutsinma, Kankia, Malumfashi and Funtua were of the view that the FRSC should drop the plan and concentrate more on how to reduce road accidents, which continue to claim the lives of Nigerians.

The state Chairman of NUJ, Alhaji Tukur Dutsinmari, said the introduction of new number plate and driver’s licence was diversionary and “a monetisation of the inefficiency of FRSC”.

“The commission has calculated the amount to be realised from the exercise, which shows that it prefers making quick money in preference to road safety matters.”

Dutsinmari said while the policy might be useful, the timing was wrong, stressing that an average motorist had many problems to contend with than to make him to pay high fees for a new number plate and licence.

Another motorists, Alhaji Adamu Musa, was of the view that the commission was inefficient in apprehending violators of the use of number plate, adding: “When FRSC introduced the reflective rear sticker, the benefits were minimal and the idea was discarded.”

He said the decision to introduce the new number plate was of no economic relevance to motorists, noting that commuters would be forced to pay high fares for commercial vehicles, “and in the end, innocent road users will suffer”.

Malam Iliya Umar, who said he was unaware of the new decision, described the FRSC as inefficient and an urban organisation that had failed to face real road safety issues in preference to generating revenue.

“The FRSC has failed to address the problems of road safety, especially in the placement of road signs on highways and control of reckless driving.”

He said the issue of underage drivers, illegal issuance of license by some FRSC staff and none apprehension of violators of number plate had not been properly handled by the commission.

A Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) who pleaded anonymity, said the commission had been entrusted with powers that had not made any impact on road safety, adding: “I think the commission should be merged with the police for efficiency.”

A commercial motorcyclist in Ba’are village in Fakai Local Government Area, said the number plate and license would not affect him, since his trade routes were in remote areas. From Birnin Kebbi comes a report that individuals and groups expressed divergent views on the decision.

The state Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Kiruwa Zuru, described the new approach as a “welcome development that will sanitise the transport sector and instill road culture in commuters”.

He said the new number plate would guarantee easier identification of missing vehicles or erring drivers when the need arose. Zuru, however, urged FRSC to reduce the costs of the two documents to enable commercial drivers comply easily with the new policy.

“The costs of the new number plate and license should not exceed N5,500 each to enable wider and timely compliance.”

He said the state NURTW would comply with the new policy, adding that “the only snag is the outrageous fees to be charged”.

Alhaji Lawali Mohammed, a vehicle owner, dismissed the idea of introducing new number plate and driver’s license as “unrealistic”.

He said the new fees were too high, and advised the FRSC to apprehend violators of the current number plate instead of introducing a new one.

•A NAN nationwide opinion poll