The Federal Government has started the issuance of Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) for all categories of registered vehicles nationwide.
Unveiling the new policy at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, AbdulHafiz Toriola, said the certificate, which will come into force next month across the state, would be among the requirements for annual renewed.
This means it is now mandatory for all vehicle owners to obtain the POC annually, unlike what hitherto obtained when they only obtained proof of ownership of vehicles while buying a used vehicle or changing the engine of vehicles.
Toriola said: “This certificate, upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures, will serve as part of official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners.”
The permanent secretary explained that the POC, which would affect all classes of vehicles – from motorcycle, to tricycle, to mini-vehicles, saloon cars, all classes of trucks, articulated vehicles – and such likes that covey people or products from one point to the other.
He said the POC would contain vital information, including the vehicle’s registration details, such as number plate, model, year of manufacture, in addition to the owner’s name and address.
Toriola said all states of the federation are expected to begin the implementation of the new policy in July and each vehicle owner will pay a minimum of N1,000 to procure the document.
“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 May 9, 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,” he said.
The permanent secretary also said the POC is specially printed and is connected with other vehicle documents, adding that the document would provide real time statistics of vehicular population nationwide, minimise cases of car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles, and further streamline the drive for a uniform licensing scheme mandate.
According to him, with the POC, motor vehicle documents from all states can easily be verified, regardless of the issuing state, ensure the safety and security of vehicles and their owners, enhance national vehicle database for national security and enhance planning and economic development.
Toriola said the POC would be issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), which is the lead agency in the sector, adding that it would boost the state’s aggressive drive for greater data penetration.
FRSC’s Sector Commander Babatunde Farinloye said the agency was happy that the initiative was coming six years after it ought to have taken off.
Farinloye, who was represented by the agency’s Head of Logistics Department, Tajudeen Mafe, said it was incumbent on the lead agency to enforce, regulate, and coordinate road safety transport management in the state.
The General Manager Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, Mrs. Lade Kilanko, who was represented by Mrs. Olabisi Olowolagba, said the agency, which is saddled with generating motor vehicle data for the state government, would ensure the success of the POC initiative.
The Joint Tax Board’s Consultant, Prince Olusegun Obayendo, said the board intended to use the new policy to drive data that would aide in planning and growing the economy.
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