Concerned with the need for improved efficiency in the production and distribution of the National Driver’s Licence (NDL), the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has directed heads of Sector Driver’s Licence Centres across the country to follow due process in their operations. He gave the directive on Wednesday while declaring open a one day workshop as part of the staff capacity development programme towards achieving efficiency in the production and distribution of the National Driver’s Licence.

According to him, the workshop was particularly organised to improve the capacity of the Sector Heads of Driver’s Licence Centres in demonstration of Management’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the National Driver’s Licence system. The Corps Marshal expressed worry that despite the efficiency attained by the Corps whereby permanent driver’s licences can be produced less than sixty days after capturing by applicants, large number of unclaimed licences abound across the country.

“For instance, a total of six hundred and ninety eight thousand, two hundred and fifty two (698,252) Driver’s Licences have been produced and dispatched nationwide from January to July this year, however, two hundred and nineteen thousand, two hundred and fifty two (219,252) have remained unclaimed till date,” he stated.

Oyeyemi further stressed that such large number of unclaimed licences could undermine the gains of the reform through the efficiency attained in the system. He therefore directed the Sector Heads of Driver’s Licence Centres to come up with initiatives that could assist in prompt distribution of the permanent licences to the applicants, adding that contact has been made with the state governments through the Joint Tax Board (JTB) to address the challenge.

The FRSC Boss also frowned at some reported cases of extortion, touting and marketing of the driving school certificates at some centres, warning that such acts would not be tolerated and perpetrators would face severe punishment. “Moreover, there is near collapse of command and control in some Driver’s Licence Centres across the commands. All these negative vices must stop forthwith, as punitive measures would be taken against perpetrators, “he stated.

The Corps Marshal enjoined the Heads of the Driver’s Licence Centres to address issues of quality service delivery as provided for in the Presidential directive on Ease of Doing Business. These includes initiatives to assist Motor Licensing Authorities (MLAs) of the states to distribute the unclaimed Driver’s Licences and rendering weekly report of the total number of driver’s licences dispatched to applicants to the FRSC National Headquarters, Abuja.

“Driver’s Licence Centres are to shun all forms of compromises and avoid collusion with driving school operators in the issuance of the driving school certificates,” he stated.

The one day workshop which had as its theme: “National Driver’s Licence: Improving Service Delivery Through Transparency and Efficiency in Business Environment,” was attended by the Sector Heads of Driver’s Licence Centres from the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT. Papers on various topics were presented by Resource persons on issues of efficiency and improved service delivery including that presented by Resource Person from the Service Compact With All Nigerians (SERVICOM).