Reality of the financial implications of securing a Driver's license:A complete contravention of FRSC advertised standards.

By: Ukan Kurugh.

The advertised rate of Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Naira (N6,350) by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for the procurement of Drivers License can now only be compared to Police bail that is advertised to be free but never to be so. This is in consideration of the fact that, instead of the anticipated N6,350, prospective drivers end up spending about N14,600 for the requisite license.

A breakdown of the actual financial responsibility shouldered by aspiring drivers show that, the online registration for driving school cost N7,000, while learners permit cost N250 and the N6,350 only comes in as bank payment for the Driving School certificate. Furthermore, N1000 is paid for the VIO testing fees.

Worries have equally emanated from the situation that, the online certificate is inoperative and even after 3 months of registration, the certificate is yet to be ready. On the other hand, the 5 accredited driving schools have been unable to activate their portals for the past 2 weeks. All these have hampered the smooth operation of the process.

Government agencies are supposed to serve the interest of the general public and not to exploit fellow Nigerians in an Era of increasing hardship. If the FRSC would give an official advertisement that the sum of N6,350 only is required to procure a driving license then this should be so and nothing more.

People have been thrown in the dark as to the truth of the situation where on pages of newspapers, radio and television and as well as social media the advertisement is contrary to the reality on ground in offices of FRSC. What is making this difference and while is the leadership of the FRSC failing to identify and take appropriate legal action of perpetrators of this? The big question is, who is fooling who?