Despite critics insistence that proof of ownership certificate (POC) should remain one-off payment at the point of vehicle registration, yearly payment for the document has commenced in Lagos State.

And rather than the N1,000 announced per vehicle per year by the Federal Government, vehicle owners claimed they were being made to pay N1,500.

But Lagos State government insisted that the fee remained at N1,000 even as sources said the extra payment could be as a result of bank charges which they, however, added should not be more than N200.

Lagos, which has about 60 percent of the vehicles in the country on its roads, is designed as the pilot scheme after which it is expected to move to other states.

It was learnt that cash-strapped government at the three tiers hopes to generate N12 billion yearly from the scheme.

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest Law (NBA-SPIDEL), at the weekend, called the POC fee-paying regime unlawful, saying the move will be challenged in court.

“It is unfortunate that Lagos State has proceeded to implement the unlawful project”, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, said in a note sent to newsmen.

The POC serves as valid proof that a vehicle is legally owned by the registered individual or entity which contains vital information such as licensed number plate, model, year of manufacture, in addition to owner’s name and address.
The procedure, officials said, is also to aid in the minimization of car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles, getting vehicular population nation-wide, verification of vehicles documents regardless of issuing state and enhance national security among other benefits.

Despite critics insistence that proof of ownership certificate (POC) should remain one-off payment at the point of vehicle registration, yearly payment for the document has commenced in Lagos State.

And rather than the N1,000 announced per vehicle per year by the Federal Government, vehicle owners claimed they were being made to pay N1,500.

But Lagos State government insisted that the fee remained at N1,000 even as sources said the extra payment could be as a result of bank charges which they, however, added should not be more than N200.

Lagos, which has about 60 percent of the vehicles in the country on its roads, is designed as the pilot scheme after which it is expected to move to other states.

It was learnt that cash-strapped government at the three tiers hopes to generate N12 billion yearly from the scheme.

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest Law (NBA-SPIDEL), at the weekend, called the POC fee-paying regime unlawful, saying the move will be challenged in court.

“It is unfortunate that Lagos State has proceeded to implement the unlawful project”, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, said in a note sent to newsmen.

The POC serves as valid proof that a vehicle is legally owned by the registered individual or entity which contains vital information such as licensed number plate, model, year of manufacture, in addition to owner’s name and address.
The procedure, officials said, is also to aid in the minimization of car theft and recovery of stolen vehicles, getting vehicular population nation-wide, verification of vehicles documents regardless of issuing state and enhance national security among other benefits.