By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has introduced a yearly vehicle ownership verification fee of N1,000 for motorists across Nigeria.
The fee, known as Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC), is aimed at tracking the real time status and the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database.
The government said it is line with the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 as amended, No. 101, Vol. 99; Section 73 (1), according to the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Transportation, Mr Abdulhafiz Toriola.
The Lagos State government has already keyed itself into the initiative, and will commence its implementation from July 2033.
At a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary said, “To this end, the federal government has introduced the issuance of annual Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles. This certificate will serve as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures.
“The POC will contain vital information including the vehicle’s registration details, such as, license number plate, model, year of manufacture in addition to owner’s name and address,” he told newsmen today.
“We believe that the POC will help track the real time status and guarantee the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database and it is based on the safety and security it guaranteed that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved for its commencement in Lagos State, hence this briefing to enlighten the public,” Mr Toriola added.