Lagos state government has announced the commencement of the annual renewal of the proof of ownership certificate for vehicles registered within the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola made this known on Tuesday at a press briefing held at Alausa, to sensitise the public on the initiative, said it is in line with the communique issued by the Federal Government Joint Tax Board, after an emergency meeting held on May 9, 2023.
He said the proof of ownership certificate serves as valid proof that a vehicle is legally owned by the registered individual or entity and will contain important information such as, owner’s name, address, license plate number, model, year of manufacture.
The document will be issued at the point of renewing vehicle particulars at a minimal fee of one thousand naira only (₦1000).
He said the procedure is aimed at ensuring real-time tracking and maintaining the integrity of vehicle records on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database.
Toriola said the “annual Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) is in line with compliance with legal requirement fundamental to transparency, security and accountability within transportation network.
“To this end, the Federal Government has introduced the issuance of annual Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles,” Toriola said.
“This certificate will serve as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures.
“The POC will contain vital information including the vehicle’s registration details, such as, license number plate, model, year of manufacture in addition to owner’s name and address.
“Having critically reviewed the challenges encountered in ensuring promotion of Safety and Security of lives and property through the issuance of POC nationally and especially in our Dear State, the Joint Tax Board in its communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting held on 9th May, 2023 adopted and made a resolution that proof of ownership certificate (PoC) be issued to motorists on an annual basis nationwide.”
He said the initiative was in accordance with the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 as amended, No. 101, Vol. 99; Section 73- (1) which states that “There shall be Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered Vehicles’. Section 73- (1-6) also added that ‘The commission shall establish and maintain a Central Data Base for Vehicles and drivers for the federation.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
