The federal government has imposed a new fee of N1,000 to be paid by all motorists across the country as Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) verification.

On Tuesday, the permanent secretary of  Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, announced that Lagos will kick-start the collection of POC from motorists starting from July 2023.

The new fee which is applicable to motorcyclists and motorists irrespective of their vehicle status was approved by the federal government through the Joint Tax Board (JTB) during a meeting that was attended by all state stakeholders.

Mr Toriola said that the policy, which will be implemented by every state, was designed to streamline and enhance the process of vehicle ownership verification across the country.

He noted that the new policy would aid better planning, security, and accountability within the country’s transportation network.

Mr Toriola said that the initiative was in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 as amended, No. 101, Vol. 99; Section 73- (1) which states that ‘There shall be Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered Vehicles’. Section 73- (1-6) also added that ‘The commission shall establish and maintain a Central Data Base for Vehicles and drivers for the federation.”

“To this end, the Federal Government has introduced the issuance of an annual Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles. This certificate will serve as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures.

“The POC will contain vital information including the vehicle’s registration details, such as, licence number plate, model, year of manufacture in addition to owner’s name and address.

“Having critically reviewed the challenges encountered in ensuring promotion of Safety and Security of lives and property through the issuance of POC nationally and especially in our Dear State, the Joint Tax Board in its communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting held on 9th May, 2023 adopted and made a resolution that proof of ownership certificate (PoC) be issued to motorists on an annual basis nationwide,” he said.

The permanent secretary said the decision was aimed at tracking the real time status and guarantees the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database.

He said the POC will provide statistics of vehicular population nation-wide while it will  minimise car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles, as well as streamline the fulfilment of the uniform licensing scheme mandate.

He listed other benefits which included easy verification of vehicles regardless of the issuing state; safety and security of vehicles and their owners; enhancement of the National Vehicle database for national security, planning and economic development.

He added, “We believe that the POC will help track the real time status and guarantee the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database and it is based on the safety and security it guaranteed that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved for its commencement in Lagos State, hence this briefing to enlighten the public.”

The FRSC representative, Tajudeen Mafe, said the agency is ready to collaborate with the Lagos State Government towards the implementation of the policy.

Mr Mafe said the implementation is in line with the FRSC Establishment Act of 2007, to regulate and enforce all road safety management procedures through robust databases, expressing willingness of the Agency to ensure smooth execution of the procedure.

The General Manager, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Lape Kilanko, who was represented by Olabisi Olowolagba stated that the initiative aligns with the agency’s vision of gathering reliable and accurate databases which will aid its operations.