Car owners to get annual proof of ownership certificates in Lagos state

The Lagos State Government has announced its implementation of the annual Proof of Ownership (PoC) certificate for vehicles, as approved by the Joint Tax Board (JTB), adding that that the new policy was one of the components that verified ownership of vehicles and ensured compliance with legal or regulatory requirements.

Penpushing reports that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos State Capital, explaining that the initiative aims to streamline and enhance the process of vehicle ownership verification.

The Permanent Secretary added that, the implementation is in line with legal requirements fundamental to transparency, security and accountability within the transportation network, as amended number 101, Vol. 99; Section 73- (1)

‘The 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’, he said

“Section 73- (1-6) also adds 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 annual Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles. This certificate will serve as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owner, upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures’, he added

Penpushing further reports that Toriola said the Proof of Ownership (PoC) would contain vital information including the vehicle’s registration details, such as licence number plate, model, and year of manufacture, in addition to the owner’s name and address.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that Proof of Ownership (PoC) would be issued to motorists on an annual basis nationwide, explaining that for effective security administration, the annual certificate was specially printed and connected with other vehicle documents in the state.

“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’, the Ministry boss emhasised.

Penpushing also reports that Toriola disclosed that the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had approved its commencement in  the State, hence the press conference to enlighten the public, and .urged the media to help in cascading the information down to the people in Lagos State for acceptance, as it was with other states of the federation.

The Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Babatunde Farinloye, represented by Deputy Corps Commander in charge of Logistics, Tajudeen Mafe, said that  the corps was empowered by law to implement government policies.

Penpushing reports that Farinloye said that it was incumbent on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to enforce, regulate and coordinate road safety transport management, stating that the database that would be generated by the certificate would enhance national security.

The representative of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Olabisi Olowolagba, in her remarks said that the agency, which is in charge of generating data for the state, was happy with the introduction of Proof of Ownership (PoC)

Penpushing further reports that Olowolagba said the Proof of Ownership (PoC) was desirable to aid security, and  expressed confidence that Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA would ensure its success.

The representative of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Segun Obayendo, while speaking emphasised the benefit of Proof of Ownership (PoC), adding that it helped with the statistics of the vehicular population nationwide, which could easily be obtained.

Penpushing also reports that Obayendo stated that Proof of Ownership (PoC) would provide a solution to minimise car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles, adding that it would streamline the fulfilment of the uniform licensing scheme mandate.

‘State motor vehicle documents can easily be verified regardless of the issuing state, as well as safety and security of vehicles and other owners. The POC will enhance National Vehicle data for national security, for planning and economic development,” he said.

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