The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate suspension of the enforcement of the newly introduced electronic central motor registration, e-CMR.
This directive, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, is to allow the police to embark on an extensive public enlightenment on the importance of the policy, which was originally billed to take off fully on July 29.
Many Nigerians had expressed reservations over the e-CMR when the police announced the idea, but the opposition to it widened after the police gave a 14-day notice at the weekend to commence full enforcement and compliance by the motoring public on July 29.
This came amid a one-week ultimatum the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) gave to the IGP to halt the enforcement or incur a legal proceeding.
Adejobi’s statement is reproduced below.
PRESS RELEASE
E-CMR: POLICE HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS, EFFICIENCY OF APPLICATION TO CURB VIOLENT CRIMES
As IGP Orders Suspension of Enforcement Process, Massive Enlightenment of Nigerian Residents
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.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024. This 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.
Members of the public are urged to obtain the digitalized CMR certificate online at 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 cm*****@np****.ng .
