[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Director General of Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah has commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for its commitment to reforms in the National driver’s licence, saying the Corps has evidently made major achievements in the system since it commenced production some years back.
Dr Abah gave the commendation while presenting the report of the studies on the constraints of issuance of driver’s licence in Nigeria carried out by the BPSR to the FRSC Management at the National Headquarters Abuja.
According to him, the study was carried out to determine the common constraints associated with driver’s licence acquisition in the country as well as the roles the various player carry out in the production of the security document. Among the players identified in the report were the driving schools, Vehicle Inspection Officers and the FRSC which designs and produce the licences after the applicants must have undergone training, testing and certification and paid the necessary fees to the state government through the relevant agencies.
Some of the constraints identified with the system by the study were disconnect between the agencies involved in the process; historical issues of fake driver’s licence; erratic internet connectivity, delay in fund release and epileptic power supply. Others were poor signage at the Board of Internal Revenue to guide the applicants, impatience on the part of the customers and crave for bypassing the due process.
Dr Abah expressed satisfaction with the way the report was received by the Management of the FRSC, which he said was an indication of its commitment to improved process in the driver’s licence system in the country. He advised the Corps to strive to meet the target of delivery of the original licence it set for itself and to constantly seek ways to deliver improved service to the people while remaining focused on delivering safety to the people.
In his remarks, the Corps Marshal thanked the Director General for the incisive and independent report and expressed pleasure at its in-depth nature. He however observed that some of the states have remained uncooperative in streamlining the process by failing to invest in the driver’s licence process.
He gave assurances that Management will carefully study the report and diligently act upon its recommendations for improved service delivery by the Corps.
The Corps Marshal disclosed that the Corps will further collaborate with the BPSR in carrying out independent investigation into other areas of the FRSC functions like operations, especially with the commencement of the end of year special patrol which commences in September.