ESIRS Trains Motor Licensing Authorities on Modern Techniques for Vehicle Licensing
The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESiRS) over the weekend conducted a training session for its Motor Licensing Authority (MLA) staff, aimed at retooling and empowering them with modern techniques to enhance efficiency in vehicle licensing and renewal processes. The initiative seeks to improve taxpayer experience, minimize delays, and boost revenue generation for the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman of ESIRS, Mr. Arinze Nnamani, the Technical Assistant to the Chairman, emphasized that the training was designed to upgrade the IT skills of MLAs while also providing a platform for Courtville Business Solutions PLC (AutoReg), the consultant operator, to understand the challenges faced by the field officers. He noted that one of the primary objectives was to ensure that vehicle owners encountered minimal difficulties when renewing their vehicle licenses or transferring ownership.
“With this training, Enugu residents can now visit any of the state’s 45 Motor Licensing Authority offices and complete their vehicle documentation without unnecessary hassles,” he stated. He added that the exercise also focused on enhancing the professionalism of MLAs in customer relations, stressing the importance of courtesy, expertise, and effective communication in service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of Courtville Business Solutions PLC, the resource person, Ms. Joy Onah, highlighted the broader benefits of the training, noting that it would help keep MLAs up to date with the latest processes and ensure taxpayers were better guided in their transactions. She emphasized that well-informed licensing officers would not only improve service delivery but also assist in reducing cases of harassment by law enforcement agencies.
“This training builds the capacity of MLAs to work efficiently, ensuring they are well-equipped to assist taxpayers seamlessly. When officers are better trained, they help people navigate the system correctly, thereby improving overall public confidence in the licensing process,” Onah said.
She further pointed out that while the training might not entirely eliminate fraud in vehicle licensing, it would serve as a deterrent by educating taxpayers on the proper channels for making payments. “We are intensifying public awareness campaigns to ensure people know the designated licensing stations. With 45 MLA offices across the state, vehicle owners must utilize the official channels to avoid falling victim to fraudsters,” she added.
The Head of the Motor Vehicle Department at ESIRS, Mr. Joseph Ugwu, noted that the training was particularly timely, given the agency’s recent autonomy granted by the state government. He stressed that the exercise was intended to make MLAs more proactive and ensure they efficiently handled their responsibilities.
“This training equips our officers with the right approach in engaging taxpayers, guiding them on when and where to register or renew their vehicle documents while also sensitizing them on fraud prevention. It enhances their ability to detect and prevent criminal activities such as dealing with stolen vehicles,” Ugwu explained.
Participants at the training expressed enthusiasm about the knowledge gained, stating that it had broadened their understanding of proper documentation procedures and fraud detection techniques. Joy Nnamani, a Motor Licensing Authority officer, acknowledged that the session provided her with a deeper insight into managing taxpayer interactions professionally and efficiently.
Similarly, another participant, Oge Onyibo, noted that the training had strengthened her ability to handle challenges encountered in the field. “This training has exposed us to modern techniques that make our job easier and more efficient. With the knowledge acquired, we can now assist vehicle owners more effectively, ensuring smooth licensing and renewal processes,” she remarked.
The initiative aligns with ESIRS’s broader goal of leveraging technology and capacity building to modernize its operations. By equipping MLAs with updated skills, the agency aims to create a seamless, fraud-free, and taxpayer-friendly licensing system that enhances both compliance and revenue collection.
With the renewed emphasis on professionalism and IT proficiency, ESIRS hopes to set a new standard in vehicle documentation processes, making Enugu State a model for effective motor licensing administration in Nigeria. GMTNewsng
