The House of Representatives has agreed to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate issues surrounding the issuance, revenue generation, and administration of driver’s licences over the past three years.
This decision followed a motion moved by Victor Ogene (APC-Bayelsa) during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Ogene explained that a collaboration between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), state internal revenue boards, and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) currently oversees the digital issuance and renewal of driver’s licences.
Approval signatures are typically provided by the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in each state, following the issuance of a learner’s permit at a standard fee.
However, Ogene raised concerns that the FRSC operates a VIP centre which issues new licences without requiring prior learner’s permits.
He also cited a recent Joint Tax Board review, which adjusted the fees for five-year and three-year licences to N21,000 and N15,000 for vehicles, and N11,000 and N7,000 for motorcycles and tricycles, effective from November 1, 2024.
He alleged that the FRSC uses its Information Processing Centre to control driver’s licence data and revenue collection, bypassing the state revenue boards and VIO.
According to him, the annual revenue—amounting to hundreds of billions of naira—remains largely unaccounted for.
Ogene further noted that applicants face delays of up to two or three years after biometric data is captured, blaming the slow processing on unpaid debts owed by the FRSC to Galaxy Backbone Ltd. and other IT service providers.
In response, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen directed that the soon-to-be-formed committee submit its findings within four weeks for further legislative consideration.