Nigeria Now  Hub Of Stolen Vehicles-Minister

Nigeria is now hub of stolen vehicles,Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Ms. Zainab Shamsuna-Ahmed, has said

She said Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of vehicles in the country were usually unregistered making it difficult to trace vehicles within the shores of Nigeria .

Shansuna-Ahmed, spoke  at a one-day sensitisation on the National Vehicle Registry (VREG), on Tuesday in Kano.

According to her: “The National Bureau of Statistics confirmed that between 2015 and 2020, Nigeria imported an average of 400,000 vehicles. An additional 40 percent of the vehicles are smuggled into the country annually. A case study revealed that Nigeria was the hub of stolen vehicles, as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of vehicles in the country were usually unregistered. Consequently, vehicles within the shores of Nigeria cannot be traced.”

She said  the ministry is introducing the National Vehicle Registry (VREG), to address these challenges.

She added that  the system would provide a singular platform through which all relevant agencies reference vehicular data with a view of ascertaining ownership and value information.

She said the system would also assist to ensure accurate monitoring, documentation and tracking of vehicular activities across the country as well as enhance national security.

Speaking, the Acting Controller in charge of Zone B, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Uba Muhammad, said the initiative would assist to ensure the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

Represented by the Controller, Kano/Jigawa Command, Mr Suleiman Umar, Muhammad said that the initiative would curb insecurity and enhance revenue generation, especially on vehicles.

“This initiative suit in with E-Customs Project that will signal the beginning of end-to-end automation of NCS processes and procedures. It will also usher a new regime of total automation of all trans-border trade activities,” he said.