Motorists Complain Of Incessant Arrests Over Expired Drivers’ Licences

Motorists in Lagos on Monday lamented the incessant arrests by traffic managers over their alleged possession of expired drivers’ licences or not being in possession of valid ones.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Assembly in February suspended the issuance of new drivers’ licences and new number plates and in March, held a public hearing which is yet to be concluded.

Some affected motorists who spoke to NAN noted that the incessant arrests had forced many of them to abandon their vehicles at home.

A civil servant, Mr. Iniebong Akpan, said that whenever he risked taking his car out because his drivers’ licence had expired, he would have to grease palms to be able to return home with it.

“I don’t know why I am always unfortunate to fall a victim of the expired drivers’ licence which I have had to pay dearly for.

“I have on many occasions tried to get a new one but to no avail, because of the suspension of the issuance of new drivers’ licences by the National Assembly,” Akpan said.

Two commercial bus operators, Mr. Tajudeen Akomolafe and Mr. Innocent Isiato told NAN that since the incessant arrests could be frustrating, they had also been bribing their way through as their vehicles had been impounded over the issue.

They said that it was now a common practice by the traffic managers to demand for driver’s licence whenever they stopped a vehicle on the roads.

“I pray the suspension should be over soon, so that I can renew my papers and stop these daily arrests and unaccountable payments,” Akomolafe said.

Isiato asked if the arrests were only for the commercial bus operators.

A female civil servant who sought anonymity, condemned the attitude of the traffic managers who claimed ignorance of the suspension of the drivers’ licence and the issuance of new plate numbers.

She said that she had made several efforts to renew her drivers licence, but to no avail.

She, however, claimed that she was able to get the new number plate for her new car through a friend who worked in one of the agencies involved in the issuance of the number plates.

“I was surprised to have been able get a new number plate two weeks ago, despite the suspension of its issuance by the National Assembly,” she said.

She disclosed that she was only able to get the new number plate for as much as N35, 000 in less than a week, to avoid harassment from the traffic managers.

Efforts to reach the Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Jonas Agwu, for his comment on the issue proved abortive.

Agwu had earlier declined to comment on the related issue of how some motorists were able to get new number plates, despite the suspension of the issuance of new ones, saying that he would only comment “after the conclusion of the ongoing public hearing on the issue.”