The House of Representatives has concluded plans to investigate operational issues related to driver’s license issuance, revenue generation over the past three years.
The resolution was passed during Wednesday plenary, sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Call for accountability of revenue generated from the issuance of Driver License’, sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene.
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In his lead debate, Hon. Ogene who doubles as Chairman, Labour Caucus in the House, acknowledged that the tripartite arrangement between FRSC), the States Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) leading to the issuance or renewal of a driver’s license.
“The House also notes that the approving signature on a driver’s license typically comes from a designated officer at the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) In the state where the license application originated.
“The House is aware that a learner’s permit for driving a motor vehicle is first issued at a prescribed fee by the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in the relevant state before the release of a driver’s license.
“The House is also aware that the FRSC operates a Very Important Person (VIP) Center, ostensibly for the renewal of a driver s license, but which 1s reported y being used for issuing fresh driver’s licenses that are not preceded with a learner’s permit.
“The House is further aware that the Joint ‘Tax Board (J TB) reviewed the fees payable tor a five year and three years driver’s license to N21,000 and N15,000, respectively, for a motor vehicle, N11,000 and N7,000, respectively, for a motorcycle or tricycle since November 1, 2024.
“The House observes that the FRSC is alleged to use its Information Processing Centre (IPC) for warehousing data for driver’s license and manipulating it sideline and shortchange the State Boards of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the collection aad usage of fees for processing driver’s licenses.
“The House is worried that the FRSC is reportedly controlling receiving accounts for drivers’ license fees, including those from Driving School Certification and Driving History Applications meant for foreign tavel applications, the yearly revenue generated from chargeable fees, which amounts to hundreds of billions of naira, is also allegedly unaccounted for by the Vehicle inspection Office and vanous state Boards of Internal Revenue.
“The House is disturbed that the processing of drivers’ licenses is unexp:ainably being delayed for upwards of two to three years alter the biometric data capturing of applicants.
“The House is also disturbed that the huge debts the FRSC owes Galaxy Backbone Ltd and other system consultants, who are the network providers and maintainers of the biometrics data capturing system, are responsible for the system slowdown and the resultant long delay in the issuance of driver’s licenses.
“The House is cognizant of the need to also clearly ascertain which public agency has the legal responsibility of designing, producing, and issuing a driver’s license.
The Ad-hoc Committee is expected to submit its report within three weeks for further legislative action.
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