Amid rising contrary opinions on electronic central motor registry the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR, initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July.
This, according to the Force spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement is to give ample opportunity for mass enlightenment and education of all citizens and residents on the process, benefits and effectiveness in solving the challenge of vehicle related crimes, and protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership.
He said: “Following the reconfiguration and commencement of the electronic central motor registry registration process (e-CMR), the Police has deemed it necessary to highlight the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative which 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.
“The e-CMR will provide a firsthand database to the Force for curbing vehicular crimes as dedicated officers can access real-time comprehensive data of every vehicle on their tablets. Similarly, the e-CMR will prevent multiple registration of vehicles and serve as a database to collate biometric and other data of vehicle owners and individuals, adding value to the national database and incident report portal generated from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies towards general security.
“Furthermore, contrary to news making the round and insinuations about the e-CMR, the NPF wishes to state categorically that the e-CMR is not a revenue generating platform but an initiative to digitalize policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigeria residents.
READ ALSO: NBA gives IG seven days to stop CMRIS certificate issuance
“Members of the public are urged to obtain the digitalized CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng. For further inquiries, individuals can contact the 24/7 hotline (02018870133), CMR Command Centre at FHQ Abuja (08117777666, 09169892000) and FHQ Annex Lagos (08117777555, 09169891000). Technical support is also available at cmrtech@npfcmr.ng.
“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 for 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.”
Credible News earlier reported that the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Section on Public Interest had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System, CMRIS, Certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.
NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS Certificates, stating that no law had granted the police the authority to issue such licenses or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.
It demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive stopping the practice nationwide.
The association also called for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centers, with refunds to be made to those who had already paid.
Credible News.ng
