C’River: VIOs disassociate selves from increase in driver’s licence fees

THE Chief Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), Cross River State,  has dissociated  themselves from the increase in licensing fees for drivers  by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the country,

The  state Chief VIO, Chief Bepeh Paul, said  this while addressing proprietors of driving schools in Calabar, the state capital, on Friday.

He said the reason for the state’s dissociation from the purported increment was due to lack of proper consultation by the FRSC with other relevant stakeholders in the transport sector.

He added that the issuance of drivers’ licenses was a collective responsibility of the FRSC, the VIOs and the Internal Revenue Services and as such, there was the  need for consultation with all  relevant stakeholders before  taking genuine decision.

He  stressed that the increment of the licensing fees from   N6, 500 to N10, 450 and the extension of the expiration of the drivers license date from three to fives years for renewal was arbitrary and against the  current  economic situation in the country.

Paul also warned drivers whose licenses  had already expired and new drivers intending to register for drivers’ licenses not to get the licenses until all matters are resolved.

The chairman of the Association of Proprietors of Driving Schools in the state, Pastor Steven Umoh, called on the VIO and other  relevant stakeholders in the issuance of drivers’ licenses not to issue them to people without genuine certificates and proof of proper training from certified driving schools.