The Federal Government has announced the introduction of a new fee of N1,000 to be paid annually by all motorists for the Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) verification.
Lagos State will commence the collection of this fee from motorists starting from July 2023. The State’s Ministry of Transportation held a joint news conference in Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday to provide details about the new initiative.
Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos Ministry of Transportation, explained that the implementation of the POC fee aimed to streamline and enhance the process of vehicle ownership verification. This initiative aligns with compliance requirements stated in the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012 as amended, No. 101, Vol. 99, Section 73, which mandates the issuance of Proof of Ownership Certificates for all registered vehicles. Additionally, the Ministry aims to establish and maintain a Central Database for Vehicles and drivers nationwide.
In light of these regulations, the Federal Government has introduced the annual issuance of the Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles. This certificate serves as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal ownership upon the completion of necessary requirements and procedures. It contains key information such as the vehicle’s registration details (license plate number, model, year of manufacture) as well as the owner’s name and address.
With a purpose to track real-time vehicle status and ensure the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database, the decision was made by the Joint Tax Board during an emergency meeting held on May 9, 2023. The The annual POC is specially printed and connected with other vehicle documents in the state to facilitate effective security administration.
Emphasizing that the Proof of Ownership Certificate will bring several benefits, including the ability to easily obtain nationwide statistics on the vehicular population, minimize car theft, facilitate the recovery of stolen vehicles, and ensure the fulfillment of a uniform licensing scheme, he added that it allows for the verification of motor vehicle documents regardless of the issuing state, promotes the safety and security of vehicles and their owners, enhances the national vehicle database for security and planning purposes, and supports economic development.
