By Abiola Olawale
Following the public outcry that greeted the proposed commencement of the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration (e-CMR( for vehicle owners in Nigeria),the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the suspension of the registration.
The suspension order was conveyed to the public in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi on Sunday.
According to the statement, the suspension fo the process is to allow for massive enlightenment of the citizens on the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative.
Adejobi, in the statement explained that the e-CMR is designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles by collating data imputed into the system by vehicle owners, and acting on such to flag the vehicles if reported stolen amongst other values.
The statement further explained that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform, but an initiative to digitalise policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigerian residents.
The statement reads in part: “In light of this, we seek the understanding and support of all well-meaning Nigerians and residents to key into the e-CMR system. In the same vein, the IGP charges all Police officers to desist from requesting e-CMR certificates as individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public on the guise of not having e-CMR certificates will be sanctioned accordingly as the enforcement which will be done by only dedicated officers has been suspended till further notice.”
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after an initial directive from the Nigerian Police Force for vehicle owners across the country to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate at a cost not less than N6,000.
Following the announcement, the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police to immediately withdraw his directive for the commencement of the e-CMR or face severe legal consequences.
The association also threatened legal action against the IGP should he fail to reverse his directive regarding vehicle registration after the seven-day ultimatum.
Below are some of the reactions curated from social media:
“It’s not revenue generating but citizens paid N6000.00 per certificate, eh, @PoliceNG ? Plus, what is the piece of legislation that mandates this? The police don’t make the law, so please, tell us where your authority comes from.”(@Orghieoghene)
“I wonder the thought process that goes into these things. This is another instance where the government and its officials introduce a policy and suspend it after few days.
Is this an admission of thoughtlessness or an indication of incompetence?”(hitphil7)
“It was just a ploy to create room for extortion and violation of right by the IGP @PoliceNG there was never a sense in asking motorists to register afresh when that has been done and for a fee of almost 6k.”(@Billionairelaw1)
“While the idea is a remarkably good one, they are doing this the wrong way.
Nigeria already has a database of vehicles you can definitely work with.”(@Odenigbo511)
