Following the introduction of the new licensing policy by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been opposed to the policy. The new licensing policy which preceded the controversial removal of subsidy on petrol is largely perceived as another needless economic burden on the people CHIKA OKEKE writes.
For Madam Evelyn Thompson, a housewife, buying a posh car is what every woman desires. This, she says makes the women, both married and single; see themselves as demigods. Mrs Thompson said: “With this feeling of superiority, I was determined to buy mine irrespective of the model. I saved money for years considering my poor salary and eventually bought a fairly used Toyota.
“This made me join the league of car owners and suddenly, the FRSC directed that all vehicle owners must purchase the new number plate and drivers’ license by August, 2012.
“This development seemed like a nightmare to me because it was barely 18 months after I bought my car, the license plate number and drivers’ license. I keep asking what happens to my former license that is yet to expire,” she queries.
Insisting that the FRSC should have looked for alternative means of generating revenue, Madam Thompson argues that the policy is basically designed to extort money from Nigerians in addition to all other economic burden they have to bear.
“Why place such heavy burden on Nigerians when the cost of living and doing business in this country is already on the high side,” she queried.
Thompson’s predicament and dilemma is no different from that of many other Nigerians that own either private or commercial vehicles whom are fretting over meeting the deadline of the FRSC mandating motorists to acquire the new license plates and drivers’ license by August.
Motorists are expected to pay N6, 000 for the drivers’ license and N15, 000 for the license plate or face yet to be stipulated sanctions upon the expiration of the deadline.
LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that the new policy by the FRSC is intended to restore the integrity of the Unified Licensing Scheme (ULS) and National Vehicles Identification Scheme (NVIS) initiated by the government in the 1990s. It is also geared towards maintaining a credible database of drivers in the country as well as developing? a robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) network.
In cases of theft or robbery, the ULS is expected to make it easier for the police to recover the vehicle in any given location as it will contain vital information about the motorists such as vehicle registration particulars, national drivers’ and endorsements, basic medical records including age, sex, height, blood group and disabilities among others.
A commercial driver who plys between Berger Junction and Gwagwalada in the FCT, Mr. Isaiah Udeme, however, argued that the policy should be directed towards the rich not poor motorists who are struggling to feed their families daily.
According to him, the policy apart from being expensive raises the question of accountability. Udeme argued that there was no guarantee that the revenue generated from the sale of the new license plates and drivers’ license would be used for the benefit of the average Nigerian and road users.
“Our roads are bad with virtually pothole? in every five minutes' drive yet they are talking about new licensing? policy. Does it mean that President Goodluck Jonathan is unaware of this new policy by FRSC? Why should he allow them to remove the subsidy on petrol?
“They are intimidating us and it’s high time the government took a critical look at their activities. To me, the old and new license plates are the same except the map of Nigeria that is not on the old one but is on the new one,” he maintained.
Government, he said, “Should always consider the interest of the masses whenever such policies are to be implemented. Cost of living in Nigeria is getting higher everyday and it’s the survival of the fittest now.
“So I am calling on the government to help stop the policy before the August deadline. There are other ways which the FRSC can get the correct database of motorists without necessarily imposing stringent policies on Nigerians. If they eventually fail to stop the policy, we will be left without any option than to increase the transport fares.”
Another transporter, Mr. Emmanuel Uche, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the policy was just like a fairy tale as majority of the motorists could hardly buy a new tyre for N8000 not to talk of targeting between N25, 000 and above for new license plate and drivers’ license when they still have valid driver’s license.
To him, the new policy was tantamount to increasing the heavy financial burden on the shoulders of many Nigerians. “What is the use of the new license plate and drivers’ license in a country where the cost of living is very high and many are still battling to come to terms with the removal of subsidy on petrol?
He said, “I think the government should address the impending security challenges first rather than threatening motorists? with their so called policies.
The protection of lives and properties and welfare of Nigerians should be of uttermost importance instead of imposing new licenses on motorists with valid drivers’ license and license plates.
“The government should care and show some feelings for the people. If the basis for changing the existing driving license and number plate, as argued by the FRSC boss is to have a complete database of vehicle owners to enable them track down vehicles in case of theft or robbery, track down drivers that violate traffic rules, then it’s a good idea but the money involved is too much.
“Every day, prices of foodstuffs are increasing and there is no hope for the common man. I am of the view that such an exercise can still be accomplished without necessarily changing or introducing the new licensing policy.
A source at FRSC told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the money involved in the new license plate and drivers’ license was not an FRSC affair. It is the responsibility of a Joint Tax Board (JTB).
According to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity, “The FRSC did not fix the price of the new license plate number and drivers’ license but the JTB which FRSC is not even a member but an observer. The committee consists of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Ministry of Finance and Board of Internal Revenue Chairman of the 36 states of the federation. They met and reached an agreement on the price tag of the new license and plate numbers.”
While debunking claims that there is a slight difference between the old and new plate numbers, he said, “There is much difference between the old and new plate numbers. The old one does not capture the full database of the motorist while the new one contains the entire database and is much secured. It will also assist the federal government in national planning because with the new concept, they will know the exact number of vehicles plying the road.
Amidst the controversy that has trailed this development, the House of Representatives had directed the FRSC to suspend the issuance of the new license plate and drivers’ license pending the outcome of its investigation into the matter. They further mandated the House committee on FRSC to investigate the rationale, necessity and circumstances behind the planned phasing out of the existing vehicle license plate and drivers’ licenses and their replacement with new ones.
Our correspondents’ check, however, revealed that the issuance has continued especially to persons seeking license plate for new vehicles. While the outcome of the House committee’s investigation would be or the decision that would subsequently be taken by the lawmakers expectations are that the deadline for the implementation of the policy would be extended and made a gradual process. This is more so as it concerns persons with valid drivers’ license, just as the monetary burden is expected to be downwardly reviewed too.