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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) says it will intensify arrest of ex-government officials and political appointees still using customised vehicle number plates issued to them while in office.
The commission observed that some ex-public office holders in Anambra had not returned the private vehicle number plates prior to exit from office pointing out that the commission frowned on such and that the law was equally against it.
Speaking to newsmen on the development in Awka, Anambra state sector commander of the commission Mr. Sunday Michael Ajayi stated that it was pertinent for the public to note that no ex-government official or ex-political office holder has right to retain number plates given to them while in office.
He said, “We have found a lot of people retaining such number plates and using them. The commission will continue to arrest such people because what they are doing is unlawful and illegal.” He stressed that the commission had made it abundantly clear that any number plate issued to anyone while in office was issued based on his appointment or election to the said office.
The Anambra FRSC boss reiterated the fact that at the expiration of tenure of office or termination of political appointment, the individual was expected to return the number plate to the relevant authorities.
He also drew the attention of current serving political office holders in Anambra state to flagrant covering of vehicle identification numbers warning that the idea of covering vehicle number plates by government officials connotes illegality and disobedience to relevant laws.
Ajayi further admonished motorists in the state to drive safely especially as the rainy season gathers more momentum. He added that driving under special conditions like the rainy season, dry season, harmattan could be very dicey and that motorists should ascertain vehicle conditions before using the roads this period.
