An advocacy group, Consumer Rights Project (CRP), has begun moves to institute legal action to challenge the propriety of the new number plates introduced by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which strict enforcement is to commence on September 30, 2013.
The group, as statutorily required, has issued pre-action notice to the FRSC, threatening to mobilise Nigerians for peaceful protest nationwide to resist the planned restriction of movement of Nigerians with the old number plates.
CRP, in the pre-action notice, signed by its Executive Secretary, Onu Eke Uche, stressed that as an organisation concerned with the composition of consumable goods and services by the Nigerian citizens, it has become a great concern to it that the intended enforcement of the deadline on the use of the old number plates was unconstitutional and oppressive to the citizens.
Uche lamented that apart from the fact that the action was a clear violation of Section 41 (1) of the Constitution, as it constitutes an infringement on the rights of Nigerians to free movement, the enforcement will also create gross economic hardship for the people individually and collectively.
According to Uche: “The rationality of introduction of new plate number and drivers’ license is greatly in doubt as there exists no material difference between the old number and the newly introduced one.
“Moreover, the overall interest of the end users which form the bulk of the consumers was not properly considered before such a burdensome, cumbersome and cruel decision was arrived at.
“The functions of the Commission are clearly spelt out under the Act establishing the Commission and as such, the Commission is not at liberty to deviate from such entrenched functions or apply measures besides its powers as is stipulated under the relevant Act.
“We shall, therefore, not hesitate to file an action in court against your Commission to stop them from commencing with the disruption of movement of Nigerians over the use of old plate numbers and drivers’ license if the directive to enforce the deadline for the use of old number plate and drivers’ license is not retracted within the next thirty days from the date of delivery of this letter.
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