By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Ottamens, near Kasoa (C/R), Oct. 29, GNA – Mr Julius Neequaye Kotey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has assured motorists that all outstanding driver’s license currently with the Authority, will be delivered by the end of November.
He said the licenses had been printed, but their distribution had been delayed by the unavailability of laminates required to complete the production process.
However, he said, the Authority had now received the necessary laminates from Italy and directed staff to work around the clock, to clear the backlog of licenses awaiting completion and distribution.
“I can assure them (motorists) that by the end of next month, every Ghanaian who has truly gone through the process to register with DVLA will have his or her license,” he said.
Mr Kotey gave the assurance at the commissioning of a new DVLA office at Ottamens, near Kasoa, in the Awutu Senya East Municipality of the Central Region.
The facility, established through a partnership between the DVLA and a private investor, in line with the Authority’s policy of collaborating with private partners, formed part of efforts to improve service delivery.
It comprises a computer-based test (CBT) facility, an eye centre, biometric capture centre, renewals and card collection centre, kitchenette, accounts office and a director’s office.
Mr Kotey said the opening of the Ottamens office formed part of efforts to decentralise DVLA services and improve access for motorists and vehicle owners.
He said the Authority had increased its nationwide offices from 33 to 64 since the current management assumed office, with 31 additional facilities commissioned during the period.
Mr Kotey said management planned to establish more offices in communities across the country to reduce travel distances and discourage the use of unauthorised operators, adding that 15 new offices were ready for commissioning in the coming days.
Among the areas earmarked for new offices were Kwashiman, Ada, Enchi, Jomoro, Sogakope, Breman, Tema Community Four and parts of the Ashanti and Western regions.
Mr Kotey said the expansion was intended to bring services closer to the public and make it easier for motorists to access legitimate services.
He cautioned the public against individuals posing as DVLA officials and issuing fake driving licenses to unsuspecting applicants, noting that investigations into some recent licenses circulated on social media, revealed that they were fraudulent and had not been issued through the Authority’s official systems.
He urged motorists to follow the approved procedures and avoid dealing with unauthorised intermediaries.
The CEO also announced that plans were far advanced for the implementation of technology-driven reforms, including radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled number plates, digital roadworthiness verification and biometric international driving permits.
He said the new number plates would incorporate near-field communication, RFID and ultraviolet security features, to help security agencies verify vehicle details and combat crime.
He assured its clients that the Authority would manufacture the plates locally at its facility at Narhman, where construction work was ongoing, to end the importation of raw number plates.
Mr Kotey also warned of tougher punishment for drivers who violated traffic regulations in the coming days, including drivers having their licenses withdrawn after accumulated six traffic offences within two years.
These drivers would only be reissued with licenses after they had undergone retraining at the Authority’s development skills centre, he added.
The CEO also announced the digitisation of accident reporting, to ensure that officers visited accident scenes and recorded GPS coordinates before submitting reports.
He said the reforms were intended to strengthen accountability, improve road safety and modernise the Authority’s operations.
Mr Seth Banini, the Municipal Chief Executive for Awutu Senya East, commended the DVLA leadership for its digitalisation initiatives and expansion of services, describing them as practical interventions that could improve service delivery and create employment opportunities.
He urged the Authority to intensify stakeholder engagement, particularly with commercial drivers who might require additional support to adapt to technology-driven reforms.
Mr Banini said drivers needed adequate education on the proposed withdrawal of licenses from motorists who accumulated six traffic offences within two years and the requirement to undergo retraining before their licenses could be reissued.
He said sustained education would help drivers understand the measures and appreciate their importance to road safety without unnecessarily disrupting their livelihoods.
Madam Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya West, welcomed the facility, saying improved access to DVLA services would benefit residents of neighbouring communities who travelled to the area for services.
She called on the Authority to consider establishing another centre at Bawjiase in the Awutu Senya West Municipality, to serve residents more conveniently.
She also proposed flexible payment arrangements for drivers who might find it difficult to pay license fees at once, saying affordability could improve compliance with the licensing requirements.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey
Email: [email protected]