Corps Marshal and chief executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, speaks on the controversy trailing the new number plate, driver's licence and other issues.What informed the decision to introduce the new plate number and at such high cost'The introduction of the computerised licencing system by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in 1990, under the National Uniform Licensing Scheme (NULS), was in response to the challenges of the growing motorisation in Nigeria and the need for credible database on the vehicles and the drivers to resolve some of the safety and security challenges it posed to the country.But as the programme progressed, there arose some challenges, including inadequate investment to constantly update and upgrade the system, in line with developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).Consequently, some syndicates took advantage of this by undermining the scheme through parallel production of the licences, using the same technological platform, and were being patronised by unsuspecting members of the public, who relied on especially the driver's licence as a means of identification in banks and other reputable institutions for financial and other social transactions.The incapacity of such institutions to immediately detect the validity of the licences online accentuated the challenges.I observed these flaws when I assumed office in 2007 and immediately took some measures, including additional security features.But the level of degeneration in the system and the sophistications of the syndicates further undermined the efforts. We were left with no alternative but to embark on painstaking study on the way forward.It was the outcome of the study that led to the decision we took to upgrade the system and adopt a world-class technology that is impossible to forge or duplicate, as was the case before in the new initiative.Let me add here that the reform in the licencing system was consequent upon the full brief we gave to members of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), comprising chairmen of the states Board of Internal Revenue, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.In furtherance of our consultations, both the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were appropriately briefed of the initiative and they gave their nod.In fact, the NEC last year adopted the licences as national security document.On the cost implication of the licences, let me make it clear that FRSC does not determine the cost of the licences. The Joint Tax Board, chaired by the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), determines the prices.The interest of FRSC in the project, which has been misinterpreted by some members of the public, is the need to ensure credibility and uniformity in the issuance process and avoid situations where those with no driving competence were issued with the licences, while records of some holders of the licences would not be on our database.For the avoidance of doubt, FRSC does not get involved in the testing of the drivers and collection of the revenues from the applicants, as these responsibilities are carried out by the relevant agencies of the state governments.We get involved in line with our statutory responsibilities of designing and ensuring credibility of issuance process by printing the documents for the states, based on the information obtained from them, as the issuing authorities.Of what importance is the new plate number to society and the people'As I stated before, the safety and security of all road users and indeed Nigerians at large form the core reasons behind the initiative.As against the past practice, biometric data of the drivers and relevant information on vehicles and their owners would be captured on the national database and easily retrievable, in case of need.In the same vein, the relevant security agencies, banks and embassies would have access to verify the validity of the licences online.In the new dispensation, the tamper proof Vehicle Identification Tag (VIT) will reduce, if not completely eradicate, the need for inscription of numbers on the vehicle.It has Proof of Ownership Certificate that is issued as the ultimate proof of ownership and this is generated from central data bank and printed at the point of registering a vehicle by the State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR).The new number plates encompass both the existing and future vehicle owners. It enhances capacity for road traffic management in the country and will facilitate Nigeria's attainment of the goals of the United Nations Decade of Action For Road Safety: 2011-2020.What is your reaction to the House of Representatives directives for the suspension of the project'Though FRSC has really not received the resolution of the House, but let me state that we will fully cooperate with the legislators in addressing all areas of doubt in the new scheme.Considering the mixed reactions the issue is already generating, does it mean you did not make adequate consultations before implementing the project'We made adequate consultations with relevant stakeholders before we commenced the project.But let me assure that consultation is a continuing effort we are making to secure the commitment of all stakeholders for the success of the project.Are you aware that some people who bought new vehicles cannot register them, mainly because of the scarcity of the number plates, both old and new'Part of the measures we took towards addressing some challenges of the old system was the establishing of two more production at Awka in Anambra State and Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).These plants are to complement the one in Lagos for optimal production, even though the Lagos plant alone is capable of meeting the national demand, including that of the entire West African countries.Production of the old number plates has been phased out and there is no facility for producing them again. The new number plates have been in circulation in states like Abia, Anambra, Borno, Bauchi, Edo, Delta, Enugu, FCT, Kaduna, Kwara, Kano, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, Rivers and Zamfara, among others.Lagos State has just commenced the sale of the number plates to the public.Many are already complaining, just like when the new drivers licence was introduced, that touts have hijacked the processes of getting the new plate number, demanding up to N100, 000 for it. What are you doing or have done to curb such scandal in the implementation of the project'Let me repeat, for the sake of emphasis, that FRSC does not sell the number plates and the drivers' licence to members of the public. It only prints the documents to the state governments, based on the information they supplied.Such licences are returned to them under the tripartite arrangement, which they make available to the public, not the FRSC. And as I earlier stated, the Joint Tax Board determines the prices.The cost of the new number plates, compared to its increased size, enhanced security and other features, cannot be said to be a burden on vehicle owners.For the avoidance of doubt, the approved prices for vehicle number plates are N15, 000 for new vehicle registration and N10, 000 for old vehicle exchanging for new one, excluding other administrative charges.States' Board of Internal Revenue, as I earlier stated, is responsible for the sale of the products to the public, and not the touts.Many believe the new plate number scheme is a means of exploiting Nigerians, especially in the face of harsh economic conditions in the country'Government can never enunciate policies just to exploit the Nigerian people, because the welfare and security of the people is the reason for the existence of government in the first place.Therefore, the overriding interest in this project cannot be the exploitation of the people, but ensuring national security and safety interest of all Nigerians.I would prefer that analysts focus more on that angle and not just emphasise on the economic aspect of it.What then is the justification for it'It is not all Nigerians that own vehicles, thus the policy cannot be for all Nigerians, including non-vehicle owners, as some people insinuate.Let me even state that those who own vehicles and would be directly affected by the policy through acquisition of the drivers' licences and number plates are less than seven per cent of the national populations.The cost of driver's licence, as you might have seen on the advertisements, is N6, 000 for drivers and N3, 000 for motorcycle riders.The cost of the number plate, as has been stressed, remains N15, 000 for new and N10, 000 for replacement.In addition to all the advantages of the new system, as enumerated above, is the 'one-stop-shop' meant to address the administrative inconveniences caused to those who had to move from one location to the other whenever they wanted any of the products.
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