The joint operation, which hailed the most successful in many years, was initiated by the Police Traffic Section and supported by the Department of Customs & Inland Revenue, the Luganville Municipal Council and the Department of Public Works.
The purpose of the operation was for the agencies to check and make sure certain requirements under their respective jurisdictions were complied with by motor vehicle owners and drivers. The collection made by DCIR were mostly from outstanding driver’s license fees, public vehicle permit, vehicle registration & transfers fees, 2014 road tax and other related fees under the Road Traffic Control Act. Vehicle owners and motorists who failed to show proof of payment for the above taxes and fees were penalized by Police. A total of VT 521,500 in traffic fines was also collected as a result.
According to Rates & Taxes records, Luganville has over 1,000 registered motor vehicles, however only 823 were checked and cleared through the check points during the exercise. It is believed the rest went into hiding to avoid being caught during the enforcement.
The success of this year’s operation was a result of good partnership and cooperation between the Police Traffic Section, DCIR, Luganville Municipal Council, and Public Works. Even though resources (personnel, motor vehicles, and fuel) necessary for such operation were limited, the agencies have managed to use whatever resource that was made available at the time to successfully carry out the operation.
With this positive outcome, another joint operation is being arranged to take place in the coming weeks. Rather than risk being caught or penalized, DCIR would like to advise all motor vehicle owners and drivers to voluntarily come forward and sort out any of the following taxes and fees below if they have not yet done so:
• 2014 Road Tax;
• Vehicle registration (if you have just purchase a brand new vehicle);
• Transfer of vehicle ownership (if you have purchased a vehicle from another person or you have completed your loan repayment from a commercial bank);
• Driving license (if you are driving without a valid driver’s license);
• Driving license renewal (if you are in possession of one that has expired);
• Public vehicle driver’s permit (if you are driving a public vehicle without a permit).
It advisable for all Motor vehicle Drivers and/or Owners to come forth and sort out their required fees/taxes still owed. Failure to do so may result is paying surcharges of 10% and 50% after 1st April every year or so other offences penalized within the Police jurisdiction.
For queries or more information, visit our Rates & Taxes office at the Millennium Building, Luganville, Santo, or contact us by phone 00(678) 33760 or email us.
