By Akinnodi Francis
Ondo State Government through the State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), yesterday, began enforcement of road taxes exercise.
The exercise involved commercial and private vehicles in Ondo state.
The exercise was carried out in collaboration with other enforcement agencies like Ondo State Command of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps .
The state Licensing Officer, ODIRS, Samuel Olajide, called on motorists in the state to renew their vehicle documents as well as register their vehicles.
“What we are doing today is enforcement exercise; road taxes enforcement exercise. The law is very clear that all vehicles on the road should have valid documents and must be registered.
“And that drivers must have valid license. What we are trying to do is to enforce compliance considering the security situation in Nigeria now, there is need for us to embark on the exercise to ensure that the vehicles on our roads are complying with the road tax law, he said.
He said ODIRS was committed to driving revenue for growth to bring more development to the state.
Olajide urged defaulters to visit any of the ODIRS offices across the state and update their documents and register their vehicles.
A Vehicle Inspection Officer on the team, Adeniyi Adenegan who described the collaboration as laudable, said the yearly exercise was to alertmotorists in the state on the importance of renewing their documents and registering their vehicles.
He noted that the collaboration with other security agencies would make the exercise effective.
“It was an established law since last year that old number plates are not allowed again, hence the need for us to remove anyone we see today. We urge all motorists to be responsible and do the needful,” he advised.
Mrs Kikelomo Arifalo, one of the motorists who was checked commended the officers and also described the exercise as a very laudable one.
She added that everyone should be licensed because there are lot of reckless drivers these days.
“This exercise should be a continuous process. Most people love to have the correct papers but because salaries are not paid on time, food is the most important thing. I’m sure if the government can ensure that salaries are being paid on time,” she added.
