By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In order to further prioritise safe motoring measures for crime detection on Lagos roads, the Lagos State government has introduced the newly designed Articulated and Allied Vehicle Number Plate (AVNP).
At the unveiling on Thursday, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Frederic Oladeinde, said the initiative was from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, through the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA).
The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, explained that one of the major benefits of the initiative was the creation of a robust database for all articulated and heavy-duty vehicles, especially those that ply state roads.
“As you are all aware, it is quite difficult to manage or deal with any problem effectively if you can’t measure it or have verifiable data.
“The essence of the database is, therefore, to provide and share valuable information and data on an articulated vehicle with the law enforcement agencies, the Nigeria Police and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) for safety and security as well as crime investigation and detection purposes,” he stated.
Mr Oladeinde disclosed that all new vehicles coming into the state through the ports will be required to obtain the Temporary Vehicle Tag (TVT) to be issued by MVAA as a means of identification for yet-to-be-fully registered, newly-acquired vehicles pending full registration.
He maintained that the new AVNP scheme has been designed and simplified to engender user-friendly and seamless procedures for the issuance of the plates, assuring that the pricing regime for the plates is affordable.
Also speaking at the event, General Manager of Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), Mrs Afusat Tiamiyu, appealed to drivers to ensure that they upgrade their driving skills by enrolling at the institute for training, stressing the Agency has skilled personnel who impart knowledge required for safe and precision driving.
Her counterpart at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Olatunde Oduyoye, in his remarks, stated that complying with traffic regulations ensures sanity on the roads, pointing out that if there is a free flow of traffic, there will be reduced lawless activities on the roads.
Earlier, while delivering her welcome address, the General Manager of MVAA, Mrs Lape Kilanko, reiterated the present administration’s resolve to form an all-inclusive government.
She gave the assurance that MVAA will continually review its policies to provide services that are customer-oriented and tailored towards the ease of doing business.
