By Livinus Saint KAIOR, Abuja.
As controversy on the newly introduced vehicle number plates rages, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday inaugurated an eight-man ad-hoc committee to investigate the proliferation of fake number plates recorded across the country.
The ad-hoc committee which has the House Deputy Minority Whip, Samson Osagie as chairman was given a time frame of four weeks to conduct the investigative hearing into the production, issuance and circulation of the fake number plates and report to the House.
Leading debate on the motion, its sponsor, Chairman Rules and Business, Sam Tsokwa, told federal lawmakers that both the FRSC and VIO claim no knowledge of the source of the fake number plates.
Tsokwa said the security implication of the widespread counterfeiting was grave. “…the production, sale and circulation of the fake vehicle plates numbers is a major security threat to the nation” Tsokwa warned.
Several recorded cases of explosive laden vehicles used in routine terror campaigns by extremist Islamic religious sect, Boko Haram prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to launch the new National Drivers’ License and Number Plates — expected to build a credible database of drivers and vehicles in order to improve public safety.
It will be recalled that public outcry that greeted the number plate introduction prompted both legislative arms of the National Assembly to halt the issuance of the number plates pending investigation on the matter.
