The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, NAJA, the umbrella body of journalists covering the automotive industry in the country has called for a more proactive measure from state governments arresting and contravening motorists using faded vehicle number plates across the country.
Chairman of the group, Mike Ochonma, who made this position known in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos over the weekend wondered why the unsuspecting vehicle owners are subjected to such a traumatic experience when they processed and procured their number plate from the relevant authorities.
While recognising the efforts of the various authorities in curbing the increasing number of faded number plates in use across the country, Ochonma also challenged authorities producing the number plates to use quality paint and other printing materials that will have a longer life-span.
This measure, he noted, will save vehicle owners from the harrowing experience they face regularly in the hands of both the state VIS officials, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Police and other statutory authorities.
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The NAJA Chairman also recommended that, owners of faded vehicle number plate if arrested or stopped on the road for such reasons and it is proved that, the vehicle owner can either be given a period of grace within which to get a new one at a discounted price at the time when they are renewing their vehicle particulars
Some of the motorists said on many occasions, they were made to pay varying amounts of heavy fines of up to N20,000 and above with further directive to procure a new number plate for no fault of theirs in addition to the alleged contravention.
According to state VIS sources, motorists with faded vehicle plate numbers are violating traffic rules and must pay fines.
“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, because having a faded vehicle number plate is an offence. Those accosted for having faded vehicle number plates should blame themselves for not doing the right thing at the right time”.
However, in its submission, NAJA said it was improper to impound people’s vehicles or impose fines, adding that defaulting drivers should rather be made to make payments for automatic replacement.
“As an association, we urge that to ensure that the number plates being produced by the Lagos state government through the Lagos state Number Plate Production Authority (NPPA) and other production centres for instance, are produced under strict supervision of its quality control officers.
According to the NAJA Chairman, statistics have shown that unlike the vehicle number plates produced by the FRSC in Abuja, most of the vehicle number plates produced by NPPA are those that easily get faded.