Four private garages, licensed by the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA), in line with the DVLA Act 569 of the 1999 will from June 1, this year test and examine vehicles on behalf of the Authority.
The exercise, which will be on a four-month trial, will provide an opportunity for transport owners and operators, the Authority, the public and Ministry of Transport, to study the emergent challenges and look for appropriate solutions to offer quality services to clients.
The garages are, Vito S Class Service Centre, Bivac Automated International, SPC Vehicle Servicing Centre and Bensam Vehicle Servicing.
Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Transport announced this at the inauguration of the new head office building for DVLA in Accra, on Friday.
The building opposite the Parks and Gardens Office on the Switchback road will house all its departments.
The Sector Minister explained that the delegation of some of DVLA’s power to the private garages was to improve road safety and ensure that road worthy vehicles plied the roads.
He noted that government was mindful and working towards the reduction and prevention of road crashes.
Alhaji Dauda said it was unfortunate that the country recorded 567 deaths between January and March this year, and described that as shameful and unacceptable.
Last year, the country recorded 12,981 fatal road traffic crashes, which resulted in 2,125 deaths and 16,133 injuries.
Alhaji Dauda urged the Authority not to underestimate its role since the pubic expected nothing but acceptable practices and urged the management to take adequate measures to shed off the bad public perception of their operations and live above reproach.
He urged the management to study the United Nations document on Driver Licensing and Vehicle Safety, including the maintenance of standards and occupant protection critically and implement measures recommended to all countries.
Mr David Adom, Chairman of DVLA Board, launching the Authority’s Mission and Vision Statement, promised to re-organise and reform it for positive work, to achieve the objectives for which it was established and make it an autonomous body.
“To take the reforms further, DVLA is putting in place a Strategic Plan spanning the period 2011-2015 to replace the existing plan,” he added.
Mr Justice Amegashie, Chief Executive Officer of DVLA said the Authority had set up a Research and Development Unit to assist in the development and review of policies and introduce interventions.
He complained about the challenges of the presence of “goro” boys and faking of documents and said it demanded a multi-disciplinary approach, adding that, “The Authority has installed CCTV Camera and is in the process of appointing an officer for the post of Head of Security”.
Mr Amegashie said the Authority would soon establish a district office to serve other parts of the Greater Accra Region and reduce the burden at the headquarters.