Ondo moves against unauthorized use of vehicles, number plates

DAMISI OJO,Akure

Ondo State government has raised the alarm that some owners of unregistered vehicles are now using dealers’ seals to perpetrate evil and constitute a security threat in the state.

The government, however, cautioned car dealers giving out office seals indiscriminately to desist as erring car dealers would be sanctioned appropriately.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, who stated this in a chat with reporters in Akure, also warned those using  NANS, NYCN, or PRESIDENCY as their number plates without proper documentation and identification should desist from such act or face the full wrath of the law.

He equally revealed that on no account should any government officials transfer cars in their possessions to other persons, even as no one was permitted to use the government’s number plates on private vehicles.

Dr Odebowale said the state government has ordered security operatives to impound such vehicles and prosecute culprits.

The governor’s aide disclosed that some unscrupulous individuals had been acting under the guise of official vehicle number plates and government seals to commit crimes, noting that such has to stop forthwith.

Odebowale who stressed that government vehicles found released to family members or relatives would be impounded with such officials sanctioned also urged past political appointees to immediately release number plates in their possessions to the government.

He said the government will henceforth seriously sanction public officers, especially political appointees covering their number plate, saying only the governor, his deputy, State House of Assembly Speaker and his deputy had the privilege to cover their number plates.

The SSA further revealed that the office of the  Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties has sent out letters of invitation to all those operating as car dealers in the state to know how they operate and discourage the indiscriminate display of vehicles that encourages thieves to steal vehicles.

He also added that vehicles coming from other states should have proper identification or authorization, just as he enjoined those in the hospitality business to always have proper identification of those who patronize them, for the safety and security of lives and properties of the people of the state.

He advised residents of the state to always cooperate with the state government and security agencies to curb crimes and criminality in any part of the state.

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