Delta To Arrest, Impound Ex-Govt Officials, VIPs, Others’ Vehicles With Illegal, Cover, Expired Number Plates

Henceforth, any vehicle other than that of the State Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Chief Justice with a covered number plates would be impounded and the offender(s) prosecuted in law court of competent jurisdiction, Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), has warned.

BIGPEN Online understands that the warning followed alleged use of illegal number plates, illegal cover number plates, expired number plates and non registered vehicles by unauthorized person(s) in the state.

The moves, it was learnt was also targeted to stall alleged use of such vehicle to disguise various kinds of crimes in the state.

It was gathered that the directives is targeted at private vehicle owners, motorists and government officials who are still using old number plates acquired from successive government in the state.

Those who are also fond of using covered number plates and unregistered vehicles are warned to desist forthwith.

The agency, in a statement obtained by BIGPEN Online listed those in the executive, legislature and judiciary that are authorised to use covered number plates but failed to list those who apparently have ‘legal permit(s)’ including former governors, their deputies, ex-speakers, their deputies and any member of the traditional institution or others that are exempted.

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A press release dated Monday, January 6, and signed by the State Director of Information, Dona Obuseh reads, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public particularly motorists that the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), will on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, commence impounding of vehicles, arrest and prosecute users of illegal number plates, illegal cover number plates, expired number plates and non registered vehicles in the State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, only the State Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and the Chief Justice are authorized to use covered number plates. Illegal use of covered number plates and expired number plates is therefore punishable under the DESTMA Law of 2013 as approved.

“Consequently, DESTMA hereby give 21-day notice to all affected to desist from covering their number plates, using expired plate numbers and to register their vehicles as failure to do so would lead to impounding of such vehicles, arrest and prosecute offenders.

“Accordingly, the general public especially private car owners, motorists and government officials still using old number plates in the state, covered number plates and unregistered vehicles are by this announcement advised to take note”.