The Office of the Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Office is selling “express” and “premium” number plates between N100,000 and N120,000.

Our correspondent learnt that the exorbitant fee was charged under the guise that the number plates were unavailable, and may take a long time for one to secure, except one was willing to get the plate in under a week or two days.

A motorist, Mr Friday (not real name) who recently tried to get a number plate in Abuja, narrated that he was asked to cough up N120,000 as against the official N56,000 price, adding that the VIO created an artificial scarcity, to drive up the price.

“I have been trying to get the number, but I was told by VIO that it is N120k against the official N56k price. They received a new stock last Thursday, but the plates are not available. They are creating artificial scarcity so they can continue to sell at 120k”, he said.

When our correspondent reached out to an officer in the VIO under the guise of urgently needing a plate number, the officer said there were no plate numbers, but that he could get an “express” number in two days from the Director’s office for the hiked sum, adding that the official plates were N58,000 for a saloon car.

“No plate numbers for now. It will be till next week when they bring a new order. The plates are between N56,000 and 58,000 for a saloon car. But if you want it express from the Director’s office, you will pay between N100,000 and N120,000. I will go and pick it up for you within two days, you understand?

“So, think about it. But if you don’t need it urgently, then you can just wait till we restock, and I’ll let you know. The one from the Director’s office is by slot. So, it depends on if you can pay that amount. If you can’t, just wait till next week”, the Officer said. (The PUNCH)