FRSC Warns Against Use Of Illegal Number Plates
FROM BETHRAND NWANKWO, ABUJA
THE Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has begun a nationwide clamp down on vehicle owners who use illegal number plates.
To this end, commanding officers have been mandated to impound vehicles with such numberplates.
In a statement yesterday, the Head of Public Education of the commission, Mr. Yakubu Attah, said the action has become necessary due to attitude of some motorists who conjure number plates that are not registered with the appropriate licensing authorities.
He said: "Some of these numbers are for individuals who use illegal funny plates bearing their names or aliases. Some unions and associations are also involved in these illegal acts.
"The use of these fake number plates, mostly plastic or metal sheeting by motorists, is fast degenerating into security problems."
The statement further remarked that the National Road Traffic Regulations of 1997 has made it illegal for vehicle owners to display unauthorized plates on their vehicles, adding that such violators risk imprisonment.
Attah also directed motorists who have lost their vehicle number plates to obtain a police report, sworn affidavit on the loss and then make necessary payments.
According to him, vehicle owners with lost number plates could use temporary plates, which are of the same number as the lost one, but with the letters on a black background, pending replacement.
Attah further directed members of the public desirous of "funny plates", such as having their names and addresses on the plate, to contact the state Board of Internal Revenue and pay the appropriate fee of N80, 000 for such specialized number plates.
Also, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Major-General Anthony Hananiya (rtd), has warned officials of the commission on patrol to desist from the use of sticks while on duty.
General Hananiya described the act as "barbaric" adding that any officer found holding sticks while on patrol will be "considered to have violated FRSC Operational Guidelines and will be dealt with accordingly."
He went on: "Any Marshal found to have assaulted any motorists or damaged their vehicles while on patrol will be arrested, tried internally by the FRSC Disciplinary Court and, if found guilty, penalized accordingly."
