Mr. Busia and board members pose with the Kumasi staff
The Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Mr.Kwasi Agyeman Busia, has directed regional and district managers of DVLA operational centres to post the price list of services the authority renders to the public in order to promote transparency.
Possibly, the notice should be visible on the doors at the main entrances and at client service centres.
He said that would inform customers of the exact amount to pay; it would also avoid the situation where some clients pay colossal money to middlemen popularly called ‘Goro Boys’ ostensibly to facilitate the processing of their documents for them.
Mr. Busia was addressing members of staff when the board paid a working visit to the Obuasi, Dunkwa-On-Offin, Bekwai, Mampong, Agona, Offinso, Kumasi and the Nkawkaw offices of the authority to acquaint themselves with their operations.
Unfortunately, he said, the clients are short-changed by the middle men who approach them to provide assistance, thereby giving them fake documents including driver’s licence.
The chief executive said the organisation had seen lots of reforms including the turn around time of doing business where clients assess service within 30 minutes at the prestige centre, two weeks at the premium centres and four weeks for those who opt for regular services for driver’s licence.
He said the authority would continue to introduce cutting-edge technology and innovation to transform the value chain of its activities with the aim of achieving customer satisfaction.
He said the new DVLA seeks to put the customer first in the scheme of its operations by ensuring that they are treated with respect. It also seeks to ensure customers receive the services within the shortest possible time, urging the staff to be customer-friendly.
Mr.Busia said that was the way forward to build, promote and sustain a positive image of the authority, stating that the authority was determined to maintain best practices for licensing drivers and vehicles to make the roads safe for users.
He urged the staff to uphold integrity, professionalism, excellence and reliability in their work as the authority is poised to leverage on its operations to ensure that only vehicles in good conditions ply the roads.
He also asked them to commit themselves to excellent customer service in line with the authority’s vision of making customer satisfaction its hallmark.
He entreated drivers to have their eyes tested regularly to know the state of their vision.
Mr. Busia touched on Compliance and Enforcement Unit who periodically conducts exercises on the highways together with the National Roads Safety Commission and the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy.
He touched on digitizing vehicle records to enhance good vehicle documentation and the introduction of electronic system to eradicate fake roadworthy stickers.
The Board Chairman, Mr. Frank Davies, commended the workers for their commitment to work which has given the public a good image of the authority.
He cautioned those who ‘aid’ middlemen to eschew the practice, saying they would be dealt with when they are caught.
Mr. Davies said such acts are not only an affront to the authority but it drains the state as it deprives it of the needed revenue for national development.
On their part, the managers assured the board of their determination to improve on their operations.