LASG warns motorists against using defective number plates

The Lagos State Government has warned motorists against the use of defective vehicle registration number plates on Lagos roads.

Those without any number fixed on their vehicles are urged to desist from the unlawful act, as it is against sections 15 and 16 of the State’s Transport Reform Law 2018.

This is contained in a statement issued by Bolanle Ogunlola, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs.

Explaining the anomaly of wrongful use of the number plate that has become rampant, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, noted that covering the number plate without authorisation, use of faded number plates, use of damaged number plates, misuse of number plates, and non-use of number plates all violate the law, especially with the present security challenges facing the nation.

Quoting Section 16 of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL) 2018, Toriola reiterated that ‘a person who drives a vehicle that is not registered or does not have an affixed identification mark in the prescribed manner commits an offence’.

Highlighting the need for vehicles to be properly registered with number plates, the Transport Permanent Secretary opined that a no-number vehicle can be used to commit crimes that may never be tracked.

“The purpose of using a number plate is for proper identification and security, as it is personalised for each vehicle”.

Toriola advised Motorists to use water and non-chemical methods to wash the number plates of their vehicles to prevent them from being damaged.

Explaining further the act of misuse of number plates, the Permanent Secretary declared that the use of private number plates for commercial vehicles and otherwise also violates the TSRL, 2018.

For individuals who are at the moment not willing to register their vehicles for one reason or another, Toriola advises them to contact the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, (MVAA) of the State for the issuance of a temporary vehicle tag in line with Section 193 of the TSRL, 2018 pending their final decision on permanent registration or otherwise.

While stressing that the Law Enforcement Agencies have the mandate to apprehend defaulters, the Transport Permanent Secretary urged vehicle owners to comply with the State Government to strengthen the security architecture already in place.