#TrackNigeria – The Zonal Commanding Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps in charge of Sokoto. Kebbi and Zamfara states Assistant Corp Marshal Kayode Olagunju, mni, has assured operators of motorcycles and tricycles in the states that there are enough plates in stock.He added that the Corps, States Boards of Internal Revenue and other stakeholders have put in place arrangements to ensure smooth processes of procuring number plates and riders licence.
According to a statement by ACC Aliyu Maaji, Assistant Corps Commander, Zonal Public Education Officer, the commander stated this as the 1st of August 2019 commencement of arrest of violators and impoundment of motorcycles and tricycles approaches.
Section 10(4)(h) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007 states that it is an offence to be on the road without a valid vehicle licence or identification mark being displayed while Section 10(4)(s) makes failure to display number plates on vehicles (motorcycles and tricycles inclusive) an offence.
The National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012 in Regulations 3, 36, 38 (3) and 39 also make it mandatory for all vehicles to have and be fixed with number plates. Similarly, Section 10 (4)(I) of the FRSC Act(2007) makes it unlawful for any driver/rider to be on a road without the driver/rider thereof being in possession of a valid driving/riding licence or any other licence or permit required by law. Regulations 44 and 74 (1) & (2) of the NRTR, 2012 created offence and punishment for driving/riding without valid licence respectively.
Vehicle Licence violation and vehicle plate violation each attracts N3,000 penalty or 6 months imprisonment or both while Driver’s Licence Violation attracts N10,000 fines penalty or one year jail term or both.
According to the statement, the
Zonal Commander called on motorcycle, tricycle riders and owners to avail
themselves of the current window to acquire the number plates and rider’s
license to avoid arrests and prosecution in courts and risks of six months
imprisonment or as may be determined by the courts.
Maaji disclosed that the zonal
commander further directed all commands in the zone to step up public awareness
campaign in their states and continue with stakeholder consultations to ensure
smooth implementation of the FRSC National Headquarter directive. ACM Olagunju
further assured the public that the enforcement of the laws which is to enhance
safety and security nationwide would be smooth in the three states under the
Zone.
Dr Olagunju directed his officers to brace up for the challenge as there is no going back on the enforcement which will also involve collaboration of other security agencies and stakeholders.
