The Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has been under attacke in the media by the citizenry, accusing them of fraudulent malpractices.
These allegations have dented the image of the authority with lots of people losing confidence in its work.
As such the DVLA organised a media encounter to explain its mandate and the strategic direction to re-position and respond to the needs of customers.
It was also to strengthen the Authority’s relationship with media practitioners and give them the better understanding of its operations.
Mr Noble John Appiah, Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA accused some businessmen of sponsoring the activities of middlemen popularly known as “Goro Boys” in acquiring gadgets being used by the authority in the issuance of license, roadworthy stickers and certificates and other registration documentations.
He cited the recent seizure of a -40 footer container imported by a Ghanaian businessman name withheld, which was impounded by the security agencies containing documents and gadgets intended to print fake DVLA documents.
Mr Appiah said the activities of the middlemen interrupt the professional operations of the DVLA as they harass and intercept documents from clients meant to be worked on by DVLA officials.
“The Goro Boys also extort monies from DVLA clients supposedly to help them acquire driving documents, but end up giving the customers fake documents.”
He called on stakeholders to collaborate with the authority to clamp down on the operations of the middlemen to restore the image of DVLA.
The Chief Executive Officer revealed that the authority had implemented some strategic policies to ensure that the process of documentations at their offices became faster and convenient.
He said some regional offices of the authority including Koforidua, Takoradi, Tamale, and Tema is seeing some infrastructural development and staff capacity building.
Mr Appiah said the authority would soon provide mobile service to corporate institutions, professional bodies and districts where the DVLA does not operate.
He said a research conducted by the DVLA revealed that most employers prefer to engage the services of graduates with driving licenses.
Mr Appiah said the authority is introducing a project that would ensure that 500,000 tertiary students are able to obtain genuine driving licenses before graduating.
He said the authority would partner with its 230 registered driving schools nationwide to execute the project annually.
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