By Adewole Kehinde
A few days ago, I got lots of messages and calls from most people who know I do lots of reports on Nigeria Police activities asking me to verify if the news circulating on social media about the Electronic Central Motor Registry, which I am reproducing below, is true;
“Nigerian police is at it again. This time around is what they call Police Central Motor Registry Information System (CMRIS). It costs 5k and it is yearly thing (was introduced by Tinubu). A friend and colleague of mine parted with 40k for not having it when he was stopped at police check point on a highway somewhere in the Southeast. They collected the 40k with abeg. Something that would have been done with not more than 6k. If you have not done yours, it takes about 20 minutes to do it online with the following information, your NIN, email address, phone number, vehicle registration number, the chassis number, the engine number, the vehicle colour, year of manufacture, model, make of the vehicle etc. Just go to NPF CMRIS website https://cmris.npf.gov.ng and follow the instructions to create a profile and make payment. The certificate will be sent to the email you provided. Then go to a business centre and print out a copy shikena.
“The breakdown of the cost is as follows: Fee – N5,000.00, VAT – N375.00, bank charges – N190.00, printing about N200.00, total cost about N6,000.00. The beauty of it is that you can do it at the comfort of your home any time any day. Don’t fall a victim and spend unnecessarily with abeg. Do it now or meet someone who can do it to help you out. If you go to licensing office or police stations to do it, they collect as much as between 15k to 20k. Where Police demand for this is where they know that you do not have a choice (very lonely place and they know that you are at their mercy) other than to part with your hard-earned money. If you claim ignorance, they have a copy to show you there. They no dey smile o. Tell others cos information is power and many people are not aware of this and are falling victim every day.
“NOTE: Pls do your due diligence (confirm independently) before you go ahead.
I told them that the information about the Police Central Motor Registry Information System is true, but I can’t verify if someone truly “parted with N40,000 for not having it when he was stopped at a police checkpoint on a highway somewhere in the Southeast.”.
The Central Motor Registry, also known as the CMR, is a centralized database or registry where information regarding motor vehicles is stored.
It typically includes details such as vehicle ownership, registration, licencing, and any relevant documents associated with the vehicle.
The purpose of the CMR is to provide a reliable source of information for government agencies, law enforcement, and individuals involved in the buying, selling, or operating of motor vehicles.
Recognizing the growing issues faced by vehicular crimes, the Nigeria Police Force developed a new digital central motor registration to boost security as part of its ongoing commitment to preserving the nation, citizens’ lives and property, and upholding law and order.
The Central Motor Registry was founded more than 60 years ago as a key instrument for maintaining data about motor vehicles. However, the way car crimes are evolving in the internet era necessitates a more expansive and sophisticated strategy. As a result, to bring the Central Motor Registry up to date with the reality of modern policing, the Nigeria Police digitalized it.
The advantages of digitalizing the Central Motor Registry (CMR) are numerous:
National Security: Preserving precise vehicle data makes a substantial contribution to the security of the country. It supports overall security efforts by ensuring that vehicles linked to illegal activity can be identified and dealt with quickly.
Accessibility: By digitizing the CMR, all data and information about motor vehicles can be easily accessed and retrieved by authorized personnel from anywhere at any time. This would enable quicker response times and better customer service.
Efficiency: Digitalizing the CMR would greatly increase efficiency in handling and processing motor vehicle registrations and related documentation. It would eliminate the need for manual paperwork, reduce human errors, and significantly speed up the process.
Cost savings: Digitalization would lead to cost savings in terms of reduced paper usage, storage space, and manpower required for manual operations. Additionally, streamlined processes and faster turnaround times would result in improved resource utilization and increased productivity.
Data Integrity: Digital systems offer the advantages of data integrity and security. The CMR could implement measures to ensure that the stored information is accurate, up-to-date, and protected from loss or unauthorized access. This would enhance trust in the system and reduce the risk of fraud.
Integration with other systems: A digital CMR would allow for seamless integration with other relevant systems, such as law enforcement or insurance databases. This would enable the sharing of real-time information, facilitating efficient enforcement, the identification of stolen vehicles, and the verification of insurance coverage.
Analytics and reporting: Digital systems provide comprehensive data analytics and reporting capabilities. With a digital CMR, the government could generate insightful reports on motor vehicle registration trends, vehicle ownership patterns, and compliance rates.
This data could be utilized for planning purposes and to inform policy decisions.
Overall, digitalizing the Central Motor Registry would bring about significant improvements in efficiency, accessibility, data integrity, cost savings, integration with other systems, and analytical capabilities.
It is high time for all Nigerians to embrace this transformative initiative by enrolling their vehicles in the electronic Central Motor Registry (CMR) and actively participating in enhancing security and creating a safer environment for all.
To avoid being scammed, the authentic website of the CMR Digital Registration remained https://cmris.npf.gov.ng.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com
