By Saheed Ibrahim

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Driving without valid driver’s license is now a criminal offence in Ondo State as the state government will commence arrest and prosecution of motorists driving without valid licence in the state.
The government dusclosed that over 80% of commercial drivers and 64% of private vehicle owners had no valid licence.
Speaking with newsmen at the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, ODIRS Headquarters in Akure, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale berated the manners at which many vehicle owners in the state drive without valid drivers license.
He stated that both private and commercial drivers without valid driver’s licence in Ondo state must vacate the roads, declaring such act as illegal.
“The enforcement is thereby immediate. It is against the law to drive without a valid licence. This government won’t permit anyone to break the law. The enforcement covers both commercial and private vehicle owners and drivers, he declared.”
On the on-going registration of commercial vehicles in the state, said enforcement of the directive has commenced with immediate effect.
He reiterated that the commercial vehicle registration, which started in May this year, was for the security of lives and property in the state, emphasising that state government would not compromise on any issue relating to the security of the people of the state.
He added that the government will focus more on commercial vehicle because criminals used them to perpetrate evils.
“We gave three months ultimatum and also added additional four weeks but some of them had complied with out directive.
While revealing that only about 800 commercial vehicles had been registered since the commencement of the exercise, he warned vehicle owners not to give their vehicles to unlicensed drivers, adding that commercial vehicles not painted in the state colour would also be arrested
Speaking earlier, The Chairman, ODIRS, Tolu Adegbie revealed that the purpose of the press briefing was to sensitise the public and to announce the enforcement of the exercise.
According to him, about 80% of commercial drivers and 64% of private vehicle owners in the state did not have valid drivers licence.
While saying these revelations pose serious risks to the people of the state, Adegbie noted that the Governor and the relevant agencies in the state had been alaerted, hence, the need for the sensitisation and enforcement.
The ODIRS boss announced that drivers, who needed to renew their drivers licence only needed to visit the ODIRS website, input their details and complete the process.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Agency for Transport, Ogundele Kayode said that transportation was important to human existence and not abiding by guidelines would amount to safety challenge.
He stressed that the Akeredolu-led government was a government of law and order and the safety of the people of the state would not be compromised.
While explaining the steps required to obtain new drivers license, the Director, Ondo State Vehicle Inspection Officers, Alaba Adeleye said the exercise would only take about six weeks to complete.
He stated that the applicant needed to be trained by any of the 34 recognised training schools in the state, write a proficiency test at any of the five centres after which a certificate would be issued to successful applicants and goes to the Federal Road Safety Corps to complete the process.
The Sector Head in charge of capturing, FRSC Ondo State, Lasisi Kelvin said that After issuing the certificate of proficiency, the FRSC does the capturing and a temporary card would be issued and the original followed after 60 days.
The Managing Consultant, Ondo State Global Revenue Consultancy Programme, Akinyele Oladeji said licensing would ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and other road users, adding it would also help the economy of the state as well as provide other benefits to the drivers.
Meanwhile, the ODIRS Chairman, Adegbie announced that the agency has commenced the collection of consumption tax.
According to him, the tax would be paid by hotels, event centres and restaurants.
While stressing that the consumption tax was different from the Value Added Tax, VAT, he said that the collection was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On VAT collection, Adegbie said the state would wait on the decision of the Supreme Court currently sitting on the matter.