The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), yesterday said that it had since last year complied with the resolution of the National Assembly on the suspension of the new driver’s license and number plates, stating that it has since stopped production.??
This is contained in a signed statement made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, in which it stated, “Conscious of the House of Representatives Resolution last year, the FRSC stopped the production of the new driver’s license and number plates pending the resolution of the contending issues by the appropriate authorities.”
It therefore dismissed insinuations of non compliance with the resolutions of the National Assembly regarding the production of the new national driver’s license and number plates as widely reported, adding, “The FRSC is alarmed by such reports.
For the avoidance of doubt, the corps wishes to reiterate that as a creation of the National Assembly and an organisation that operates on the mantra of the rule of law, it will not do anything to undermine the authority of the highly esteemed National Assembly.? “To this end, the FRSC wishes to state that the production of new number plates have been put on hold since the House resolution was passed last year.??
“However, state governments, in line with their statutory responsibilities, had continued with vehicle registration and driver licensing with existing consignments of number plates in their possession before the House resolution was passed. It is important to note that the FRSC has no legal authority to stop the states from selling or distributing those number plates in line with their various state laws.”??
Meanwhile, the FRSC reassured members of the public agitated by the current scarcity of the licenses that the contending issues would be resolved very soon by the appropriate authorities so that driver’s licensing and vehicle registration, which are basic statutory requirements for vehicular use in Nigeria would be resumed in earnest in the interest of all road users and the nation in general.
The FRSC therefore advises members of the public, particularly motorists not to panic as government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians.????
The Senate on Wednesday asked the FRSC to put an end to the exercise.