The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says from this December, drivers will have to produce their National Identity Number (NIN) information before they will be issued driving license.

Corps Marshal Abimbola Oyeyemi also told a NAN forum in Abuja on Friday the similar rule with apply for vehicle registration as from the first quarter of next year.

Mr. Oyeyemi said that the essence of the NIN was to enhance road safety through the use of technology.

He also said that from December, drivers licence would no longer be issued without the NIN information.

“With the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), now we have one national data base, one identity. You cannot use double identity now and with the biometrics you cannot be funny,” he told the gathering. “It is going to be compulsory from next month (December).”

Mr. Oyeyemi added: “Now if you want to renew your driver’s licence or you want to obtain a fresh driver licence, you must provide your NIN.”

The FRSC boss explained that only the Vehicles Inspection Office (VIO) were authorised to test applicants before a prescribed fees could be paid to the state government through their internal revenue service.

He added that the VIO would in turn refer applicants for capturing which would be transferred to the data base of the country.

“Now a lot of things have been occurring, you cannot get licence by proxy, anybody that does not go for the physical capture for the first issuance of licence will not get a genuine licence, it is fake.

“A fake licence is N25,000 to N30,000, original licence is N6,350 but I won’t blame them it is the ‘bigmanism’, people are not ready to follow the process and along the line too this NIN information for drivers licence will also come on board before the end of first quarter next year for vehicle registration.

“These are parts of the security checks,” Mr. Oyeyemi said.

He urged the country to take a cue from China and other developed countries that made use of technology to fight crime.

He commended the security agencies for making use of their unrestricted access to the data base in checking corrupt practices in the system.

“I must commend all of them from EFCC, NFIU, ICPC, the military intelligence unit of the Army, Navy, Air force and DSS. This is what they are now using, the paper work is no more because they have access to the data base and they are utilizing it effectively.

“The best practice is for you to have the data base that you can use to fight crime,’’ he said.