e-CMR to improve national security, prevent use of smuggled vehicles, police 

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced benefits and advantages of Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) to include, improving the national security through the security of citizens’ vehicular assets and prevention of use of smuggled vehicles in Nigeria roads.

According to the Force Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in fulfilling its statutory obligations, especially with reference to motor vehicle administration, the Nigeria Police Force must have its own repository of vehicle information to be able to perform optimally.

“The beneficiaries of this are, vehicle owners, the state governments via their motor licensing authorities, security and law enforcement agencies, the Federal government and the nation. The general public, the  advantages for each of these beneficiaries are vehicle owners are able to flag their vehicles when stolen and instantly trigger notification alerts to Police Stations, CMR Enforcement officers and patrol units nationwide for recovery.

“No person can change vehicle ownership without the owner’s consent.
A vehicle owner can monitor the status of his/her vehicle online and print the certificate for any other transaction.
There is no longer the need to carry paper documents as relevant vehicle information is available and accessible digitally on the owner’s electronic devices e.g. phone, computer, etc.

“The effective implementation of the e-CMR will discourage criminals from stealing vehicles going forward and give vehicle owners peace of mind. It will increase in number of regularizations of vehicle documents. To create an enabling environment for the government to make and implement policies to curb road tax evasion”, he explained.

He further said that in reduction in motor licensing authorities’ operating costs (both human and financial) as it will not be necessary to chase vehicle owners to comply with regulations on vehicle registration.

“It will enhances government/police collaboration on full enforcement of all laws, most especially on vehicular and traffic management. It will supports police investigation activities seamlessly. Also it will help instant verification of registration and ownership during traffic stops to ensure that vehicles are legally on the road.

“It will reduced crime rate as usage of motor vehicles for the commission of crimes will decrease. Quick identification of vehicles involved in crimes or accidents, leading to faster resolution of cases. It will help speedy recovery of stolen vehicles. The CMR will robust database acts as a deterrent to potential car thieves. E-CMR is in total conformity with the IGP’s digital policing agenda, as all steps vis-a-vis implementation and enforcement of this project are basically electronic.

“The e-CMR gives frontline enforcers real-time access to vehicles and vehicle owners’ details for status checks. The police leverage the e-CMR application to form special enforcement teams comprising police specialized and trained ICT experts to curb professional misconduct.

“Security and Law Enforcement Agencies
Swift availability of vehicle information to support joint security operations is assured. Supports operational and investigation activities. Protect a potential motor vehicle buyer from purchasing a vehicle with any form of encumbrance. Assurance that any incident affecting the citizens caused by the use of vehicles is promptly resolved.

“Viable preventive measure against vehicular theft. Prevents multiple registration of vehicles, to prevent thieves from upgrading the physical features of any stolen vehicle. It connects the owner’s personal identity to the vehicle. It avails owners of instant historical changes of the vehicle.
It allows owners to electronically update features of their vehicles with police approval.

“It will increased sanity on the roads as only properly registered vehicles would be on the roads. Use of smuggled vehicles on the roads will be prevented and smuggling  discouraged”, he stressed.