- Lagos to begin enforcement of new policy in July
- Vehicle owners to pay N1000 for new certificate
The Federal Government will soon begin the issuance of Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) for all categories of registered vehicles nationwide.
Unveiling the new policy at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation Engr AbdulHafiz Toriola said the certificate which will come into force in the state, next month, would be part of requirements to be renewed annually.
What that means is that it is now mandatory that all vehicle owners shall be expected to obtain the Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) annually, unlike what hitherto obtains when you only obtain a one-off proof of ownership of vehicle when you purchase a used vehicle, or changed the engine of your vehicle.
He said: “This certificate upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures, will serve as part of official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners.”
Toriola explained that the POC which would affect all classes of vehicles from motorcycle, to tricycle, to mini vehicles, saloon cars, all classes of trucks, articulated vehicles and such likes that coveys people or products from one point to the other.
Toriola said will contain vital information including the vehicle’s registration details, such as, licence number plate, model, year of manufacture in addition to owner’s name and address.
According to him, all states of the federation are expected to begin the implementation of the new policy, and each vehicle owner is expected to pay a minimum of N1,000 to procure the document.
“Having critically reviewed the challenges encountered in ensuring promotion of Safety and Security of lives and property through the issuance of POC nationally and especially in our dear State, the Joint Tax Board in its communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting held on 9th May, 2023 adopted and made a resolution that proof of ownership certificate (PoC) be issued to motorists on an annual basis nationwide.
“This decision among other things is aimed at tracking the real time status and guarantees the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database,” Toriola added.
Toriola said the POC is specially printed and is connected with other vehicle documents, adding that the document will provide real time, statistics of vehicular population nation-wide, minimize cases of car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles, and further streamline the drive for a uniform licensing scheme mandate.
Toriola added that with the Proof of Ownership Certificate, motor vehicle documents from all states of the federation can easily be verified regardless of the issuing state, ensure the safety and security of vehicles and their owners, enhance National Vehicle database for national security and enhance planning and economic development.
He added that the POC would be issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), which is the lead agency in the sector, noting that it would further help boost the state’s aggressive drive for greater data penetration.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC, Babatunde Farinloye said the agency is happy the initiative is coming six years after it ought to have taken off.
Farinloye, who was represented by Head, Logistics Department, Tajudeen Mafe said it is incumbent on the lead agency to enforce, regulate, and coordinate road safety transport management in the state.
He said the POC would enhance national security as there would be a nationwide vehicle data base that would make it impossible for any criminal to evade security operatives.
The General Manager Motor Vehicle Administration Agency Mrs Lade Kilanko, who was represented by Mrs Olabisi Olowolagba, said the agency, which is saddled with the responsibility of generating motor vehicle data for the state government would ensure the success of the POC initiative.
The Joint Tax Board Consultant, Prince Olusegun Obayendo, said the JTB intended to use the new policy to drive data that would aide in planning and growing the economy.
Obayendo who said the benefits of the policy lean more on safety than revenue said all state governments are on the same page in putting in place machinery to drive effective implementation of the policy nationwide.