From Abdullahi Idris,Dutse
Jigawa State task force on the retrieval of government number-plates has confiscated over 100 official number-plates from private individuals.
This was contained in a report submitted to the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Bala Ibrahim.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the task force, DC Tijjani Murtala said after inauguration, the committee embarked on sensitisation, consultation and enforcement on its mandate.
Murtala explained that the task force was mandated to identify unauthorised official number-plates used by civil and public officers within the state, confiscate unauthorised number-plates found on any vehicle, sensitise civil and public officers on the consequences of using official numbers-plates on private vehicles, as well as any other recommendation that might help government in taking a decision on the rampant misuse of plate numbers within the state.
“The findings revealed that some of the number-plates now in circulation were issued to vehicles different from the ones on which they were found,” he said.
According to the committee, the abuse of official number-plates constitute security threats to the state, as criminals may use them to bypass security checks and carry out nefarious activities.
The committee recommend, amongst others, that government should consider re-registration of all official vehicles; official number-plates should no longer be transferable and that any vehicle(s) other than government vehicles that carry official number-plates should be sanctioned accordingly.
Others are that government should consider rebranding of number-plates, as well as ensure the enforcement of sanctions on any vehicle bearing covered number-plates except those authorised by law.
Responding, Malam Ibrahim commended the committee for submitting the report and assured them that government would review the findings for possible implementation.
