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A group, The Justice and Law
Enforcement Reformation Organisation of Nigeria, has kicked against the
plan by the Federal Road Safety Commission to introduce new number
plates, with expiry dates, as well as new drivers’ licence.

In a letter to the corp marshall and
chief executive of the commission, the group said the FRSC has no right
under the constitution to undertake the task.

Copies of the three-page letter, signed
by its executive secretary, Israel Nwagabor, was also sent to the
Senate president, David Mark; Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Dimeji Bankole; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu;
secretary to the government of the federation, Yayale Ahmed; the 36
state governors; the director general of the state security service;
the Inspector General of Police; and the Minister of Justice, Mohammed
Adoke.

Losing focus

The group, in the letter, said: “The
role of your commission is primarily to provide safety for traffic on
federal trunk roads, as provided in item 63 of the exclusive
legislative list of the 1999 Constitution.

“That the provisions of Section 15,
Section 5 (f) (g) (h) and section 10 (3) (c ), (e), (g), (u) of the
FRSC Establishment Act 2007 are inconsistent with the spirit and
provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

“The introduction of new vehicles
registration number with expiry dates and the new drivers’ license is
an attempt by your commission to continually rip the public of funds.
The introduction of your proposed vehicle registration plates with
expiry date and drivers’ licence will in no way help to improve your
primary duty of ensuring safety of traffic on federal trunk roads.”

The group asked the commission to stop
further encroachment into the functions of the police and state
agencies, particularly vehicle inspection officers.

It also threatened to mobilise civil society organisations against
the commission over its involvement in motor vehicle administration
duties of states if it (the commission) insists on changing the current
number plates/drivers’ licence without the consent and approval of all.