http://www.punchng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=4791:reps-stop-frsc-new-number-plates-licences&Itemid=542

The House of Representatives on Tuesday asked the Federal Road Safety Commission to stop the issuance of new vehicle number plates and driving licence.

In a resolution it passed in Abuja, the House directed its Committee on FRSC to investigate the “rationale, necessity and circumstances” for the commission’s decision to replace the existing number plates and driving licence.

The House also noted that the job of the commission was to ensure safe driving on the highways and not revenue generation.

The committee was given four weeks to complete the assignment, while the FRSC was ordered to stop the implementation of the policy pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Mr. Sam Tsokwa, who raised the issue under matters of urgent public importance, told the House that controversies had surrounded the new policy.

Tsokwa observed that the policy was designed to “drain the pockets of Nigerians, who are already facing hard times.”

He argued that the cost of the new number plates was too high for Nigerians to bear, adding that some vehicle owners might pay as much as N95,000, depending on the grade of vehicle.

Tsokwa stated that while the official price of some of plates was N45,000, in the long run, Nigerians would have to pay more, as had always been the case with a new policy.

“The new number plates and licences planned to be introduced by the FRSC are going to cost Nigerian vehicle owners at least additional 40 per cent of the extant rate to purchase,” he said.

The Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, observed that the commission was embarking on an illegal project as there was no law backing the new policy.

According  to  Gbajabiamila, any policy of government on revenue generation must have the approval of the National Assembly.

He said, “Mr. Speaker, this is a form of taxation; this is money issue and the House must be involved by way of considering the money bill.”

The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, had tried to defend the policy by explaining why the commission introduced it, but he was shouted down.

ate�{ .D
Џ��, on Tuesday gave some insight into some of the measures embarked upon by the government in the ongoing campaign against terrorism in the country.





  Mark spoke at a three day interactive seminar on civil-military relations with the titled ‘Effective Civil Military Relations: Panacea for Stable Democracy in Nigeria, organized by the Nigerian Army in Abuja.

Mark said the National Assembly was aware of the financial difficulties encountered by the military in the discharge of their sensitive security responsibilities and was prepared to take the necessary measures to address it.

What happen to people that have been waiting for plates now for more than 4 week? Are they going to start issuing old ones right away or do we have to wait forever for them to sort it out?

Why did the useless lawmakers wait until 11th hour before making any move in defense of the masses. I recall this to have been in the news for many months, why wait till now?

I hope they gave directive to start issuing the old plates with immediately - anything less will just confirm how useless they are to the plight of the people

thats always the case with nigerians, i also do not buy the reps stoppage of sales of the plates, its a pre-meditated move, they will now reduce the official rates from 45k to 30k, so that we think they are working and the 185m they make annually is justified, and consumers will end up paying up to 50k considering bribes etc, this country at times sickens me, same thing is going to happen to the petrol subsidy, when eventually it is removed they will hike the price to 120 or thereabouts and labour union and house of reps will shout out that masses cant accept and closed door meeting will ensue and they spend 5m on refreshments of the meetings and come out with the reduction to =N=88/litre, and as Nigerians we will accept it cos they know we will only make noise for a month or so and it dies down. shikena, how long will we continue to go on with this

watch out, its already starting. its going to start with peaceful revolution turned violent.