Bawku conflict accounts for low motorbike registration in UER—DVLA

Zuarungu (U/E), Feb. 9, GNA – Mr Al-Rashid Mohammed, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has attributed low motorbike registration in the Region to the renewed chieftaincy conflict in Bawku.

He said in January 2021, a total of 3,023 motorbikes were registered as against 2,720 within the same period in 2022.

During the same period, a total of 166 registered vehicles in January 2021 against 191 in January 2022.

“This year in terms of motorbikes, the number is a bit lower, and we can attribute that to the conflict in Bawku. It is having effect on our operations,” he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District of the Region.

He said the Bawku Municipality was one of the Authority’s biggest catchment areas, but owing to the disturbances in the area, they hardly had people patronising motor bikes registration.

That, Mr Mohammed reiterated, could be part of the reasons the number of motorbike registration in January this year declined, adding that the DVLA exhausted all its prefix last year due to the huge number of registrations.

“Last year, we exhausted the prefixes UE and US, and had to borrow 100 number plates from our sister-station in Wa with the prefix UN to end the year,” the Regional Manager disclosed.

He said the DVLA began registration processes for customers who opted for 2022 number plates in December 2021 even though the Authority had enough number plates for them.

Mr Mohammed explained that such customers were issued chits to enable them to use their motorbikes and return on January 4, 2022, the expiration date of the chits to complete the registration process for number plates.

“So, we want to remind them that if they are still holding the chits and riding, they need to come and complete the registration process for their number plates,” he said.

The Manager also called on motorbike owners to visit the DVLA office to renew their road-worthiness, noting that a lot of motorbike owners did not renew their road-worthiness and had no valid rider’s license as well.

“The riding license is a big problem. A lot of riders are without license. We advise that they come so we give them some basic training before we assist them acquire the license,” Mr Mohammed said.

He said the DVLA and the Ghana Police Service had over the years collaborated effectively to ensure the registration of motorbikes which were predominantly the major means of transport in the Region.

GNA

Bawku conflict accounts for low motorbike registration in UER—DVLA

Zuarungu (U/E), Feb. 9, GNA – Mr Al-Rashid Mohammed, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has attributed low motorbike registration in the Region to the renewed chieftaincy conflict in Bawku.

He said in January 2021, a total of 3,023 motorbikes were registered as against 2,720 within the same period in 2022.

During the same period, a total of 166 registered vehicles in January 2021 against 191 in January 2022.

“This year in terms of motorbikes, the number is a bit lower, and we can attribute that to the conflict in Bawku. It is having effect on our operations,” he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East District of the Region.

He said the Bawku Municipality was one of the Authority’s biggest catchment areas, but owing to the disturbances in the area, they hardly had people patronising motor bikes registration.

That, Mr Mohammed reiterated, could be part of the reasons the number of motorbike registration in January this year declined, adding that the DVLA exhausted all its prefix last year due to the huge number of registrations.

“Last year, we exhausted the prefixes UE and US, and had to borrow 100 number plates from our sister-station in Wa with the prefix UN to end the year,” the Regional Manager disclosed.

He said the DVLA began registration processes for customers who opted for 2022 number plates in December 2021 even though the Authority had enough number plates for them.

Mr Mohammed explained that such customers were issued chits to enable them to use their motorbikes and return on January 4, 2022, the expiration date of the chits to complete the registration process for number plates.

“So, we want to remind them that if they are still holding the chits and riding, they need to come and complete the registration process for their number plates,” he said.

The Manager also called on motorbike owners to visit the DVLA office to renew their road-worthiness, noting that a lot of motorbike owners did not renew their road-worthiness and had no valid rider’s license as well.

“The riding license is a big problem. A lot of riders are without license. We advise that they come so we give them some basic training before we assist them acquire the license,” Mr Mohammed said.

He said the DVLA and the Ghana Police Service had over the years collaborated effectively to ensure the registration of motorbikes which were predominantly the major means of transport in the Region.

GNA