By CHIAZO OGBOLU

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in commemoration of the 37th anniversary of its inception, has activated a mini drivers’ licence printing farm in Lagos State.

The Corps Marshal, Mr Shehu Mohammed, said during the inauguration of the Lagos Mini Print Farm on Tuesday that the farm would help to reduce hardship experienced by motorists while acquiring driver’s licence.

Mohammed was represented by Assistant Corps Marshal Godwin Omiko from the Motor Vehicle Administration Unit of FRSC, Abuja.

Mohammed said that the print farm had a maximum production capacity of 1,800 copies per hour and 9,000 in six hours.

“This plant is to ensure that people who apply for licence, after due diligence, get their licence within a period of time.

“FRSC came up with this concept to streamline the driver’s license process and ensure backlogs are cleared,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that backlog in states amounted to 270,000, urging applicants to collect their licence in time.

He said that the harmonised data base for drivers in the country still resided in Abuja.

He, however, said that for printing purposes, applicants residing in Lagos State would have theirs done by the new print farm.

“It is our expectation that this centre will take care of all applicants from the South-West.

“Outstandings not picked are a challenge for us. As long as applicants don’t have the card, FRSC has not finished its job,” he said.

Mohammed thanked Lagos State Government for partnership and pledged that FRSC would continue to do its best in-service delivery.

Mr Abdul Rasheed Muri-Okunola, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, thanked FRSC for the initiative.

He hoped that It would address challenges faced in driver’s licence issuance.

“We hope that with the coming up of the farm, waiting for Abuja to send Lagos driver’s licensce will be a thing of the past,” he said. (NAN)