The Senate committee on Federal character and inter-governmental affairs has recommended a downward review of the prices of the new number plate and driver’s licence scheme of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The committee in its report after a public hearing stated that the introduction of the new vehicle number plate and driver’s license is laudable and should be retained, but faulted the price, describing it as exploitative and exorbitant.

The Senate had at its sitting on the 29th of February, 2012 mandated its committee to conduct a public hearing to get the opinion of Nigerians on the scheme.

The committee in its recommendation told the FRSC to revert the motorcycles plate number and driver’s license to the old rate of N1, 500 and N750 respectively.

The committee also recommended the sum of N8, 400 for a standard motor vehicle plate number to the end user from the earlier N5, 000.00 and driver’s license from N6, 000 to N4, 000.

The time frame of September, 2011 to August, 2012 given to motorists as deadline to renew their licenses and plate numbers, was described as unrealistic by the committee.

It approved the extension of the time frame by six months to February, 2013 and directed the commission to embark on massive orientation, education and enlightenment campaigns to explain to the people the advantages and other security details of the new scheme.

The Senate committee also directed the FCT vehicle motor administration (VIO) to forthwith stop the e-coding scheme and the collection of N2,000 per vehicle, but should collaborate and integrate with the FRSC.

It therefore recommended the immediate lifting on the current suspension of the issuance of the new drivers’ license and vehicle number plates, while it warned that the recommendations on the price review be strictly adhered to.

Source: Channels TV