By Mohammed Balu
Tumu (UW/R), July 17, GNA – The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has opened a new office in Tumu in the Sissala East Municipality to deepen decentralisation, bring essential licensing services closer to the people, combat cross-border crime and improve road safety.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, said the establishment of the office demonstrated the Government’s commitment to equitable development and effective local governance.
He said the facility marked a major milestone in the decentralisation of public service delivery, ending decades of inconvenience during which residents of the Sissala enclave had to travel long distances to Wa to register vehicles or obtain driver’s licences.
“Decentralisation is not merely about relocating offices; it is about creating opportunities, stimulating business and building investor confidence,” Mr Puozuing stated.
He disclosed that plans were underway for the DVLA to establish a similar office in the Jirapa Municipality to further expand public access to licensing services.
Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey, the Chief Executive of the DVLA, said the Tumu office was established out of necessity rather than convenience.
He explained that the Authority was modernising its operations through data-driven systems and digitised records in collaboration with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
Mr Kotey said the initiative would ensure that vehicle registrations and driver’s licences reflected genuine roadworthiness and driver competence.
He urged staff of the Authority to uphold high professional standards in serving clients.
“The building will fade into the background the moment a client is being served badly. What they will remember is how you treated them,” he said.
Kuoro Richard Babineh Kanton IV, the Paramount Chief of the Tumu Traditional Area, said the establishment of the DVLA office would help improve road safety in an area that had recorded numerous fatal motorcycle accidents.
He said the Traditional Council was ready to provide suitable land for the construction of a permanent office and residential accommodation for staff without delay.
The Paramount Chief also appealed to the DVLA management to offer fair employment and internship opportunities to qualified youth in the area.
Mr Mohammed Issah Bataglia, the Member of Parliament for the Sissala East Constituency, urged the DVLA to strengthen collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and other security agencies to combat vehicle fraud and safeguard national revenue, given Tumu’s status as a border town.
He also appealed to the Authority to introduce mobile services to reach remote communities and market centres to ensure that no citizen was left behind in accessing essential DVLA services.
Vehicle registration plates issued by the Tumu office will bear the prefix “UT”, followed by the unique registration number.
In recognition of his role in facilitating the establishment of the office, the Tumu Traditional Council adopted the DVLA Chief Executive as a son and Prince of Tumu and presented him with a symbolic woven royal smock.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Photo caption: The stakeholders opening the office in Tumu
Reporter: Mohammed Balu, GNA