The Federal Government on Tuesday, introduced an annual fee of N1,000 to be paid by all motorists across the country as Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC) verification.

The permanent secretary of  Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Abdulhafiz Toriola, made this known in a statement, he added that Lagos will kick-start the collection of POC from motorists starting from July 2023.

The secretary said: “The annual Proof of Ownership Certificate is in line with compliance with legal requirements fundamental to transparency, security and accountability within transportation network.

“To this end, the Federal Government has introduced the issuance of annual Proof of Ownership Certificate for all registered vehicles.

“This certificate will serve as official documentation of a vehicle’s legal owners upon successful completion of the necessary requirements and procedures.

“The POC will contain vital information, including the vehicle’s registration details, such as license number plate, model, year of manufacture in addition to the owner’s name and address.

“​Having critically reviewed the challenges encountered in ensuring promotion of Safety and Security of lives and property through the issuance of POC nationally and especially in our dear State, the Joint Tax Board, in its communiqué issued at the end of the emergency meeting held on May 9, 2023, adopted and made a resolution that proof of ownership be issued to motorists on an annual basis nationwide.

Toriola added, “We believe that the POC will help track the real time status and guarantee the integrity of all vehicles registered on the National Vehicle and Identification Scheme (NVIS) database and it is based on the safety and security it guaranteed that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved for its commencement in Lagos State, hence this briefing to enlighten the public.”