The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command to grant a 90-day grace period for vehicle owners to comply with regulations on tinted windows and covered number plates.
The directive also mandates the police to immediately cease indiscriminate harassment of motorists and release vehicles impounded solely for these infractions, provided no other offenses are involved.
This resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance presented by Hon. Mukhtar Tolani Shagaya during plenary.
In his motion, Shagaya expressed concern over reports of widespread harassment and undue punitive measures by security personnel against residents, which he described as a violation of their fundamental rights.
He urged the police to adopt a more humane approach in enforcing the regulations while also launching public awareness campaigns.
The House Committee on Public Assets has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to submit all documents related to its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements.
This directive is part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
In a related development, the House has called on the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to initiate a comprehensive public enlightenment campaign. The campaign will educate citizens about vehicle modification regulations and the proper procedures for obtaining the necessary permits.
Lawmakers emphasized the importance of public awareness in ensuring compliance with the law and urged the ministry to utilize various media platforms to reach a broad audience.
Furthermore, the House directed the Committee on Police Affairs to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to establish clear enforcement guidelines for such directives in the future. This includes ensuring adequate public awareness and reasonable timelines before implementation.
Hon. Shagaya recalled that the recent directive by the FCT Police Command to enforce a ban on vehicles with tinted glasses and covered number plates was part of efforts to combat rising criminal activities, such as kidnapping.
He stressed that while the directive is aimed at bolstering security within the FCT, its sudden and immediate enforcement, without adequate public notice, has led to widespread harassment of motorists and significant inconvenience for law-abiding citizens.
The short notice provided for compliance has resulted in the impoundment of numerous vehicles, causing unnecessary hardship and potential economic losses for individuals and businesses alike.
