The Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogun State has initiated a partnership tagged “Operation Show Me Your Driver Licence” with the state Internal Revenue Service.
The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr Akinwunmi Fasakin, disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Mr Olugbenga Olaleye, on Friday.
Fasakin commended the leadership of OGIRS for the existing relationship with the Corps, noting that while FRSC has been maintaining seamless operations with OGIRS’ team, some car owners are without licences, resulting in low returns on road taxes.
“The Command will, however, soon commence an enforcement exercise to be known as ‘Operation Show Me Your Driver’s Licence’, which would force drivers to visit OGIRS for payment of their driver’s licence, and we are also promising to clear the backlogs of licences that we currently have.”
Responding, Olaleye said that OGIRS was willing to synergise with the Corps in enforcing policies on road checks for drivers and vehicle licence, so that vehicle owners could pay appropriate fees to the government purse.
Olaleye stated that the essence of the enforcement plan was to ensure that all vehicle owners possess valid driver’s licences, among others.
He noted that the agency also has its own form of enforcement compliance, which include regularly aired programmes and jingles on radio and television stations, which had been put in place to create awareness for members of the public on the need to pay their taxes as at when due.
The OGIRS boss urged the command to find a lasting solution to the peculiar problem attached to the issuance of driver’s licence certificate, which had been known to take more time than necessary before getting to the owners.
Olaleye said, “When we have this FRSC-led joint enforcement strategy, we will increase revenue. It is not to witch-hunt anybody but to generate funds to government coffers for national development.”
In her remark, OGIRS Director for Other Taxes, Mrs Oluyomi Dawodu, appreciated the Command for the visit and appealed to them to increase the production of number plates, which would be readily available for car owners to pick at the time of purchase.
