By Victor Lewis
The Delta State Ministry of Transport, Assba has graciously extended the registration schedule for mechanic, auto-electricians, upholstery makers and other categories of artisans operating in the state, by one month ending August to enable them collect forms, carry out data capturing and obtain certificates and ID cards.
Fielding questions from newsmen recently on the take-off of the scheme in the state, the Consultant to the Ministry of Transport on the scheme, Dr Julius Babogha, disclosed that the government has embarked on public sensitization of the scheme through radio.and television since March and April, 2025, adding that the enlightenment has been extended by one month to encourage massive participation.
Dr. Babogha explained that the bio-data profiling of tradesmen in the state has become very necessary to enable government include them in government plan and policies and identify those who are operating in the state.
“This announcement has been on for a while. I remember that some few months back, precisely in the months of March and April, we announced to them that the state government wants all mechanics and all artisans operating within the confines of Delta State to be profiled so that government would know who is who that is operating in that area in the state.
“The transportation sector plays an important role in the day-to-day activities in the State. Both those in the commercial sector, government and even the private sector – all of us have one thing or the other to do with transportation. So, government felt that for a proper operation, the mechanics and the artisans operating in the state be profiled”, Babogha, stated.
On the financial involvement of the scheme, the consult explained that after due consultation and discussion with the Union, it was unanimously agreed that the technicians should pay a flat rate of N5,000.00 (Five thousand naira) only for the registration and data capturing, adding that those involved have been directed to visit all Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) across the State and meet with the scheme’s field officers on ground to attend to them.
“After deliberation with the Union it was agreed that both the mechanics and other artisans should pay a flat rate of N5,000 for registration. So, when they go to any of the VIO offices where our staff are, they will pay N5,000 and they will be profiled and asked to go and return for their snap their photographs. After that they will be asked to come back another date to collect their certificate of clearance and ID cards”, he stated.
The consultant advised “that defaulters will be stopped from operating, arrested and charged to court”, adding that the scheme is in the best interest of the mechanics, auto electricians, upholstery makers, amongst others operating in the state.
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