The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Dr. Sule Salihu Enehe, has urged motorists across the state to take advantage of the newly approved three-week grace period to regularise expired vehicle documents before the commencement of statewide enforcement on 14 August.
Dr. Enehe made the call in a statement issued in Lokoja, describing the extension as a deliberate window to encourage voluntary compliance and give motorists, motorcycle riders and tricycle operators ample opportunity to put their statutory vehicle documents in order before enforcement begins.
Represented by the Director of MDAs, Hajia Hassanat Enehezeyi Salawu, the Executive Chairman said the three-week grace period presents a rare opportunity for motorists and riders whose vehicle documents have remained expired for several years to regularise their records without unnecessary delay.
He noted that owners of private and commercial vehicles, motorcycle riders and tricycle operators whose statutory documents have remained expired for extended periods, including those who have failed to renew them for several years, are encouraged to take advantage of the special compliance window to update their records and return to full compliance.
“This grace period is designed to encourage voluntary compliance. We are particularly calling on motorists and riders whose vehicle particulars, driver’s licences, rider’s permits and other statutory documents may have expired years ago to come forward now and regularise them. This opportunity will not remain open indefinitely, and we urge all road users to make good use of it before enforcement begins,” he said.
Dr. Enehe stressed that once the grace period expires and enforcement commences on 14 August, defaulters will be liable to the sanctions and penalties prescribed by law. He added that early compliance remains the easiest and most cost-effective option for all road users.
According to him, motorists should renew their vehicle particulars, while eligible drivers must possess valid driver’s licences. Similarly, motorcycle and tricycle operators are expected to obtain and renew their rider’s permits in accordance with existing traffic and revenue regulations.
The Executive Chairman expressed concern over the persistent practice among some tricycle operators of obtaining the required documents only during their initial registration but failing to renew them afterwards. He therefore urged all operators to discontinue the practice by ensuring that their documents remain valid at all times.
He further advised owners of vehicles bearing obsolete number plates to visit the KGIRS headquarters to replace them with the approved number plates, noting that compliance with vehicle identification requirements contributes to improved road safety and strengthens security across the state.
He maintained that the enforcement exercise, scheduled to commence on 14 August, will be carried out in collaboration with relevant government agencies to ensure full compliance with the state’s road tax and vehicle documentation requirements.
According to him, the exercise is not intended to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but to promote voluntary compliance, improve road safety, strengthen the state’s vehicle database, enhance internally generated revenue for sustainable development, and reinforce security across the state’s road network.
Dr. Enehe urged residents to embrace the remaining three-week grace period with the understanding that payment of statutory road tax and related charges plays a vital role in the provision of public infrastructure, security and essential government services.
The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service therefore calls on all motorists to take advantage of the remaining three-week grace period to register their vehicles, renew all relevant vehicle documents, obtain valid driver’s licences or rider’s permits where applicable, and replace obsolete number plates before the commencement of statewide enforcement on 14 August.
