Ministry of Public Works and Transport to Revoke Temporary Number Plates by April
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has announced plans to discontinue the use of temporary number plates starting this April. This decision, aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in the issuance of permanent number plates, was revealed by the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Matjato Moteane, in an interview.
Minister Moteane highlighted that delays in paying suppliers have led to disruptions in the availability of permanent number plates. “Sometimes we take time to pay suppliers, and they fail to restock. Thus, we want to change the system altogether,” he explained.
Currently, only three companies in Lesotho are responsible for printing number plates for the Ministry. However, this limited capacity has proven insufficient to meet the demand across the country. To address this, the Ministry plans to increase the number of suppliers to at least 10, ensuring better coverage for all districts.
“We want to add five or more companies to the current three so that we can adequately serve all districts in the country,” said Moteane. The initiative is expected to streamline the production and distribution of permanent number plates, ultimately eliminating the need for temporary plates.
The move reflects the Ministry’s commitment to improving service delivery and addressing inefficiencies in the system. By expanding the number of suppliers and revoking temporary number plates, the Ministry aims to provide a more reliable and timely service to vehicle owners across Lesotho.
This decision comes as part of broader efforts to enhance efficiency and accountability within the Ministry. Vehicle owners are urged to prepare for the transition and ensure their compliance with the new system once it comes into effect.
