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Kwarans bemoans FG over plate number, drivers licence hike

...says it's wickedness on citizenry

By Mike Adeyemi

Following recent decision of the Federal Government to commence implementation of the new rates for vehicle number plates and drivers licence across the country, National Pilot went out to seek the opinion of motorists on the development.

The medium learnt that the decision to increase the cost was taken at the 147th meeting of the JTB, held in Kaduna early this year.

Under the new regime, Nigerians will now pay N18, 750 for standard private and commercial number plates against the old rate of N12, 500.

Fancy number plate which was N80, 000 is now N200, 000; motorcycle number plate is N5, 000 from N3, 000 while articulated vehicle number plates (three plates) attract N30, 000 from N20, 000. For these rates, the minimum increase is 50 per cent.

Out of series number plate has also been revised to N50, 000 from N40, 000, while government fancy number plate is N20, 000 against the former N15, 000 rate.

Drivers licence (three years) was raised to N10, 000 from N6, 000, excluding bank charges; licence for five years is N15, 000 from N10, 000 while motorcycle/tricycle drivers licence (three years) goes for N5, 000 from N3, 000 while the one for five years attracts N8, 000 from N5, 000. But that decision has drawn the ire of motorists.

Motorists in Ilorin metropolis, who spoke with our reporter on Thursday, bemoaned the new rates, saying it shows government’s insensitivity to the plight of an average Nigerian.

Toyin Yahaya, a motorist at Shao Garage described the new price as a wrong move by the government. He said it should not have been implemented now because the costs of things have gone up and inflation is on the rise.

“The economy is in a bad state, from National Bureau of statistics prices of food is on the rise.

“Rather than increasing the rates, government should start a campaign that will encourage more people interested in driving and get licences as well as encourage vehicle owners to do proper registration. If more people can get registration done with ease it will make more people to come for it.

“Obviously there are more cars on the roads that are not registered and more people behind the wheels without licences,” he said.

Another motorist at the park, Akaso Habib said the new increment in plate number and drivers license is horrible considering the economic situation in the country.

“We are not going to accept the increase in the price of number plates. Fuel price was increased not too long ago and we can’t increase the fare to meet up with the hike in fuel price without losing passengers. Increase in price of everything in Nigeria is affecting us.

“The price of food has hit the rooftop, we can’t feed our families because we have to pay school fees, electricity charges was also increased by almost 50 per cent.

“I am pleading with the Federal Government not to think of the increase because we will not like to go on strike.”

A driver, Tunde Ajamu said the timing for the new price by the government is wrong, describing it as slap on Nigerians.

On his part, a Physician, Dr. Jide Egbetokun berates the government for not being sensitive to peoples plight.

“The situation in the country is disturbing. Now, if you are changing a number plate that’s not in your own name, you have to pay a total of N38, 000 for all the ancillary paperworks.

“You have to submit a passport photograph and a copy of your driver’s licence or Identification card. People are stressed and hungry. So, why the number plate increment headache again?

‘The government does things in this country because nobody asks questions and those who ask are intimidated. The fact is that if I want to replace my number plate now, I will have to change my insurance cover for N5,000, my road worthiness for N3, 000 etc. Everything in this country is expensive even the fresh air we breathe,” he lamented.

Also, a commercial driver, Iyanda Dauda queried government’s reason for the increase, saying it is making living unbearable for Nigeria.

“At this time of COVID-19 when we are just coming back and trying to get our lives back. Is this the right time to increase the fees? How much are we getting in a day,” he enquired.

However, Segun Afolabi, a private car owner, said Nigerians adapt easily to hike in fees and irrespective of the price people would only complain for a week and forget about it.

“After complaining for a week we will all ignore and move on with our daily lives every day. The belief is that if we can afford a car we can also afford the cost.

“In June when I went for my driver’s license I paid N18, 000 and I got it with ease. Government should only ensure that the prices of general food items are regulated to make things easier for us.”

 

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