There is an interesting twist to the ongoing interface between the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidokaand members of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, probing the allegations against the FRSC on the new driver's licence and number plates. Since last year, the issue has dominated the front burner of discussions, not only among the educated, but also illiterate and semi-illiterate Nigerians. Since Chidoka announced the intention of his agency to do what even the NIMC parastatal agency under the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs failed to do, remember the failed National Identity card project', tongues have not stopped wagging. The FRSC has proffered several reasons for the new project through which it hopes to rake in 'at least N2 billion naira', ostensibly into government coffers, although the lawmakers are alleging that the much paid so far are in FRSC's custody and not that of the Federal Government. One good purpose, according to the FRSC to which the new licence and number plates would be put is security. Hinging their argue on the prevailing state of insecurity in the country, the FRSC argued that with computerised number plates and driver's licence, it would become impossible for deviants to escape being subjected to the recommendations of the law as they can then be easily apprehended. While most Nigerians did not argue against whatever use to which the FRSC felt the new number plates and driver's licence could be put, the source of irritation remains the cost implications.As representatives of the people, the lawmakers had intervened and the Senate President, David Mark ordered the immediate stoppage of the issuance by the FRSC, after a motion sponsored by Senator Awaisu Kuta and his deputy, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senators Heineken Lokpobiri, Isa Galaudu Mohammed, Gbenga Ashafa,. There was, however, no let up by the agency whose boldness in disobeying the legislative directive definitely must have stemmed from assurances from some higher quarters. From a mere N3,500, fee, the new driver's licence shot up to N5,000, while that of the new number plate went up to between N15,000 to N45,000, depending on your state, local government and the type of vehicle you own. The members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) have been most vociferous in their opposition to the new regimes of fees to be paid. The national executives of the NURTW, Luxurious Bus Owners Association of Nigeria (LUBAN), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Directors of Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIO) in the 36 states and the FCT, security agencies and civil society groups were invited to the senate public hearing. The hearing, according to the Chairman, Senator Kuta, was to interface with the public on the new scheme over complaints that the FRSC stepped outside its mandate of protecting lives on Nigerian roads, a move said to be motivated primarily by pecuniary interest.Kuta said, 'The public hearing on the new scheme is to get first-hand information from the public and stakeholders in the sector after which the National Assembly will now chart a way forward.'The worrying part of the whole scenario is that the interaction between the Commission and the Senate Committee is being dominated by other issues than reduction in the cost, which is exactly the only thing that the public, who the lawmakers represent, are interested in. No driver is likely not to have been forced to make a repeat visit in an attempt to renew or acquire a licence in the past as the registering FRSC officer tell you that there is no network or link with Abuja on their computer network, So, all that needs be done about computerisation is already being done before now, at the lower cost. The only thing the Commission needs do is put its act together and sack its Consultants if they are not good enough at computerisation. The regular staff usually do better and the Consultants only serve the purpose of 'job for the boys'. As long as electricity supply remains poor, fuel costs remains high as the FRSC also lamented, computerisation will not better.The Nigerian public is not too interested in where or when the money is remitted, which is the new focus of the Senate committee, what we want is a slash of the fees payable. If the corps marshal is not satisfied with the N300 million appropriated to his commission in the 2012 budget for fuel, he should set alternative funding elsewhere.Q.E.D.Lewis, 08055001746 (SMS only)................................................................ReactionsInfact, we are very unfortunate in Osun to have an HND holder as our governor. He is grossly incompetent. Where is the Omoluabi in him' Slate a meeting for 12 noon. Aregbe won't be there until 3pm. Omoluabi Indeed'08121687704............Note that Ogbeni is an Ijesa man-remember our Uncle Bola Ige's reactions to issues as well. Sister Tayo, remember Fayose too. It is genetic. Thank God Ekiti and Ijesa were not made a state. One thing about Ogbeni Aregbesola is that he is not a pretender like other politicians. He displays his true colour always. That is why Margaret Thatcher of UK remains my hero, a confessed racist unlike her labour counterparts who are hypocrites.Dr Gbemi OjoIkole Ekiti,08051100039......................Good day sir, I read your article in the Tribune. Please sir how can I get the sayings of Awolowo or his books08026673200.
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