shortage of number plates in Kano

Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso yesterday bemoaned the dearth of vehicle number plates in the state.

Kwankwaso spoke when he visited the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Osita Chidoka in Abuja.

He sought partnership with the agency for traffic management in Kano.

The governor said his administration had begun the establishment of Standard Drivers’ Institute for training young men and women to become professional drivers.

Kwankwaso said the establishment of the institute was part of measures to reduce road crashes.

He called for collaboration from the FRSC for the proper functioning of the school.

The governor complained of non-availability of number plates in Kano, urging the FRSC chief to increase number plate allocation to the state.

Kwankwaso asked Chidoka to ensure that Kano indigenes were represented during FRSC recruitment.

Chidoka said Nigeria had enough equipment to produce number plates for its eight million cars and the West African sub-region.

He, however, noted that the FRSC was facing the challenge of changing technology.

Chidoka said when the new machines in Anambra State and Abuja are fully operational, shortage of number plates in any part of Nigeria would become history.

The FRSC chief said the number plates to be introduced soon would have special features such as vehicle identification tags and proof of ownership certificate, adding that they would be sold at N15,000.