‘Old number plates invalid by Sept 30, 2013’

The Federal Road Safety Commission has warned that old number plates will become invalid by September 30, 2013.

Some months ago, the commission introduced new number plates which will replace the old ones.

The commission said in a post on Facebook on Thursday that from October 1, 2013, it would amount to an offence for anyone to use the old number

plates.

It said a standard replacement fee of N10,000 had been set for each number plate while a new number plate costs N12,500, excluding registration fees which would be determined by state governments.

It said, “By October 1, 2013, it will be an offence for any owner or operator of a vehicle to still have affixed, old number plates on his/her vehicle as the deadline for the use of old plates is September 30, 2013.

“Owners of vehicles are enjoined not to wait till the last minute, when there could be a rush, before procuring the new plates. Those whose vehicle papers have expired or are about expiring are urged to procure the new plates rather than just renewing the vehicle papers, which of course will have to be renewed again when the new plates are being obtained. This will definitely save costs.

“The corps is also working out some incentives to encourage early replacement of the old plates and these shall be made public in due course.”

When the new plates were introduced last year, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer, FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, had explained that it was to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians.

At a hearing on the matter organised by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs in March 2012, Chidoka said the new plates were intended to tie a number plate to an individual or organisation.