The Lagos State Government has given its approval for the implementation of a vehicle ownership verification fee of N1,000, as introduced by the Federal Government. Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation in Lagos, announced this development during a press briefing held on Tuesday. The policy will come into effect in July 2023.
The objective of this new initiative is to streamline and improve the process of vehicle ownership verification, specifically the issuance of the annual Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC). Toriola stated that the implementation aligns with the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012, as amended, particularly Section 73 (1), No. 101, Vol. 99.
According to Toriola, the Federal Government has introduced the requirement for all registered vehicles to obtain an annual Proof of Ownership Certificate. This certificate will serve as an official document confirming the legal ownership of a vehicle, once the necessary requirements and procedures are satisfactorily completed. The POC will include essential information such as the vehicle’s registration details (such as license number plate, model, year of manufacture) as well as the name and address of the owner.
One of the key aims of this decision is to enable real-time tracking and ensure the integrity of all vehicles registered in the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database. Toriola emphasized the belief that the Proof of Ownership Certificate will contribute to tracking the real-time status of vehicles and safeguard the integrity of the NVIS database. It is due to the safety and security assurances provided by this system that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved its implementation in Lagos. The press briefing was held to raise public awareness regarding this matter.
