Fed. Govt. Set To Implement Annual Vehicle ‘Proof of Ownership Certificate’ Levi

The federal government has announced the introduction of the issuance of annual Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles.

Lovetvnews Nigeria reports that the certificate will serve as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures.

Addressing a joint press conference in Lagos, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, stated that the development is in line with compliance with legal requirement fundamental to transparency, security and accountability within transportation network.

This Online News Medium understands that this initiative is 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, Vehicles owners are to pay an annual renewable fee of 1,000 naira to the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC.

Engr. Toriola further explained that the POC will contain vital information including the vehicle’s registration details, such as, license number plate, model, year of manufacture in addition to owner’s name and address.
He said the review becomes critical giving challenges encountered in ensuring promotion of Safety and Security of lives and property through the issuance of POC nationally and especially in Lagos State.

He said, ” 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”.

“This decision among other things is aimed at tracking the real time status and guarantees the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database”.

Toriola disclosed that for effective security administration, the annual POC is specially printed and is connected with other vehicle documents in the state through the following benefits:
Ø Statistics of vehicular population nation-wide can easily be obtained.
Ø Solution to minimization of car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles.
Ø Streamline the fulfillment of uniform licensing scheme mandate.
Ø States motor vehicle documents can easily be verified regardless of the issuing state.
Ø Safety and security of vehicles and their owners.
Ø Enhance National Vehicle database for national security.
Ø For planning and economic development.

“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”.