Driver’s License Delays Spark Nationwide Outrage and Frustration.√√√Newzspy.
‘Most licenses have been delayed for over a year. FRSC and VIO admit to technical issues but promise solutions.’
Applicants across the country express frustration and concern over the delays.
The delay has hindered job opportunities and contributed to unwholesome practices.
The prolonged delay in the issuance of driver’s licenses by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) has sparked widespread condemnation across Nigeria. For nearly a year, countless prospective drivers and those seeking to renew their licenses have been caught in an agonizing waiting game, with no resolution in sight.
The situation has reached a critical point in various states, particularly in Lagos, where applicants have voiced their frustrations over the excruciatingly slow process. Many blame the headquarters of both the FRSC and VIO in Abuja, accusing them of being the primary cause of the delays that have stymied both personal and professional progress.
The ongoing delays have not only affected individual applicants but have also had broader implications, with businesses and employment opportunities being severely impacted. Many individuals have found themselves unable to secure jobs or move forward with other plans that require a valid driver’s license.
Every day, desperate applicants and their families flock to the VIO headquarters at Mabushi and the FRSC offices at Zones 4 and 7, pleading with officials to expedite the process. Yet, their requests often fall on deaf ears, leaving many feeling helpless and frustrated. The protracted delays have also opened the door to corrupt practices, with some officials allegedly exploiting the situation by charging exorbitant fees to “fast-track” the process.
Personal Stories of Frustration
Peter Omang, a 22-year-old applicant, shared his disheartening experience. He applied for his driver’s license in January of this year, completing all necessary payments and documentation. However, eight months later, he is still waiting. “The VIO keeps making excuses and promising to call me when it’s ready,” Omang lamented. “The delay is sickening. I need the license to get a job and for other important things. At some point, I thought I was being scammed.”
Omang’s frustration is echoed by others, like Mr. Chisom Nwoha from Lagos, who applied to renew his license in December of the previous year. He has been driving with a temporary letter issued by the licensing office in Ikeja, Lagos, but that too has now expired. “You know how these officers behave on the highway; they hardly listen when you try to explain,” Nwoha explained, clearly exasperated by the situation.
Cathrine Danjuma, another applicant, has been waiting for her renewed driver’s license for almost six months. “They issued me a temporary license, which I’ve been using, but I haven’t been able to get the original one,” she said. “Whatever the problem is, they need to speed up the process.”
The Tripartite Arrangement: A System Under Strain
When contacted, Kalu Emetu, the Spokesperson for the Directorate for Road Transport Services (DRTS) in Abuja, explained that the delay stems from the tripartite arrangement involving the FRSC, the VIOs, and the state revenue boards. According to Emetu, the failure or delay of any segment of this trio can disrupt the entire process.
“It’s not the responsibility of the states to produce driver’s licenses; that’s the Federal Government’s job,” Emetu clarified. He described the process, stating that the state is responsible for testing and approving drivers before the FRSC captures their data for a central monitoring system. The licenses are then printed by the FRSC and sent back to the states for issuance.
However, Emetu acknowledged that technical issues within the FRSC had contributed to the delays. “The FRSC had some challenges that prevented them from delivering on time,” he admitted. He emphasized that while temporary licenses are issued during the waiting period, the delays have nonetheless been frustrating for all involved.
FRSC’s Response: Addressing the Hitches
Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Acting Corps Public Education Officer for the FRSC, also acknowledged the delays, attributing them to technical issues that occurred before the current Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, took office. “We had hitches at the earlier stage, but these issues have since been resolved,” Ogungbemide stated.
He noted that the new Corps Marshal has made it a priority to address the internal and external problems that caused the delays. “He mandated our facility managers to fix the issues within 24 hours, and they have started doing so,” Ogungbemide reported. However, he also pointed out that many applicants have failed to claim their licenses, contributing to the backlog.
“The internal problems we had were related to technical equipment, which have now been repaired and are functioning perfectly,” he explained. “The external problems were related to our technical partners, like the VIO, but we’re not passing blame. We’re working together to solve these issues.”
A Glimmer of Hope?
Despite the assurances from the FRSC and VIO, applicants remain skeptical. Across Lagos State, many have waited over a year, with some only recently receiving licenses applied for in May of last year. The FRSC has cited a breakdown at their printing plant as a cause for the delays.
As the FRSC works to clear the backlog and restore public confidence, applicants like Omang, Nwoha, and Danjuma can only hope that their long wait will soon be over. For now, the frustration and anger of countless Nigerians continue to mount as they wait for a resolution to this protracted ordeal.
Credit The Sun Online, Newzspy.
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