…… Called on the private company engaged in performing NPF CMR duties to cease immediately
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revitalized and digitalized the Central Motor Registry (CMR) unit.
The CMRIS is the mandatory registration of vehicle information by the Central Motor Registry and since its inception about seven decades ago, it has been done manually and therefore faced with some challenges.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “The revitalization and digitalization of the CMR are vital steps in adapting to the digital age. Traditional manual processes were limiting the CMR’s efficiency and growth potential, hindering our ability to combat motor vehicle-associated crimes effectively. Outdated methods inadvertently favoured criminals, providing them with opportunities for illicit activities. This impunity negatively impacted law-abiding citizens who suffered the consequences of these limitations. The digitalization of the CMR represents a proactive approach to address these challenges, enhancing our commitment to citizen safety and security.
“The NPF has made substantial investments in a robust technology infrastructure, enabling real-time connectivity among all CMR units across Nigeria. Two CMR Command Centres, strategically situated in Abuja and Lagos, play pivotal roles in streamlining CMR operations. Additionally, we have established a network of thirty-seven CMR Information Centres and Enforcement Units equipped with real-time vehicle status retrieval systems. These enhancements empower us to monitor and manage motor vehicle-related information efficiently. To support these technological advancements, we have deployed a tailor-made application for CMR operations, ensuring our personnel are equipped with user-friendly tools. All CMR operations are led by well-trained and highly skilled police officers dedicated to upholding professionalism and integrity.
He also stated that “The Nigeria Police Force’s Central Motor Registry (CMR) is a dedicated platform entrusted with specific functions that cannot be carried out by any other entity outside our institution. We have recently received intelligence regarding the existence of a platform called “VReg,” allegedly operated by a private company engaged in performing NPF CMR duties. We want to emphasize that this practice must cease immediately, as there is no legislative framework guiding such establishment.
Adejobi however made clarification that motor vehicle registration and licensing are within the purview of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Our role is to acquire essential vehicle data for our repository, vital for national security. The cooperation of all stakeholders in facilitating digital integration to access and validate motor vehicle data is of paramount importance in the interest of national security. The token fee collected is not a tax but a necessary cost to provide and sustain the required infrastructure, aimed at strengthening the revenue of Motor Vehicle Licensing Authorities.
During the briefing, Adejobi emphasized the significant strides the police have made in the implementation of the Central Motor Registry (CMR) and highlighted its expectations for further enhancing national security through this transformative initiative.
“Since the inception of the CMR on December 7th, 2022, we have received a total of 8,569 requests from 7,513 applicants, encompassing 8,497 motor vehicles and 72 motorcycles/tricycles. Out of these, 8,466 have been successfully approved, while 103 requests are currently in the processing phase. These statistics underscore our dedication to streamlining and modernizing our processes, ultimately benefiting the public and bolstering law enforcement capabilities in Nigeria. Over the past five weeks alone, the CMR platform has witnessed the registration of 1,244 vehicles, with 234 of them flagged as reported stolen on the platform. Thanks to the swift response of CMR desk officers in collaboration with field operatives, we have successfully recovered 46 stolen vehicles during this period, contributing to the overall recovery of 89 stolen vehicles in the last five weeks. Our efforts to recover more stolen vehicles remain ongoing, with the goal of achieving full recovery.
He appealed to all government agencies involved in the motor vehicle administration ecosystem for cooperation and collaboration in data exchange and sharing.
“We believe that this synergy is essential for the success of this transformative initiative. To ensure comprehensive coverage and effectiveness, we propose that the CMR becomes a mandatory requirement for motor vehicle registration and renewal licenses nationwide. This step would not only streamline processes but also enhance national security by providing real-time access to critical vehicle information. Furthermore, we stress the importance of establishing data endpoints for digital integration, facilitating seamless data transfer across relevant agencies.
The Force PRO urged members of the public to visit the user-friendly public portal at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng and for support or inquiries, the dedicated team is available via email at cmrsupport@npf.gov.ng
“We are committed to providing efficient and accessible services to the public through our digitalized Central Motor Registry, and these contact channels are here to ensure your needs are met seamlessly, Adejobi said.
