The Tribune

THE Government yesterday signed an $8.3 million contract to modernise the Road Traffic Department, as it bids to improve customer service and maximise revenue.

Michael Halkitis, minister of state for finance, saidthe Road Traffic Department modernisation will streamline the department’s operations.

“For some time, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Road Traffic Department and the Ministry of Finance have recognised the need to modernise the motor vehicle registration and driver’s licensing systems, and other sub-systems,” Mr Halkitis said.

“Modernisation is necessary in order to better provide service to the public in a timely and convenient manner, and to maximise the revenue due to the public purse. This modernisation project aims to achieve both objectives.

“This programme is the latest that the Government of the Bahamas, under the current administration, is undertaking with the aim of ensuring that all revenue due to the public purse is collected and fully accounted for. It follows modernisation reforms at the Real Property Tax Department, Business License Department and the modernisation project now in the advanced stage of implementation at the Customs Department.”

Mr Halkitis added: “This Road Traffic Department modernisation project will streamline Road Traffic Department operations, realise significant cost savings, strengthen management controls and reports, generate increased revenues and facilitate integration, particularly in the area of information sharing, between the Road Traffic Department and its internal and external stakeholders.”

Mr Halkitis said that following a public tender process, Data Torque was selected as the software and IT systems provider. The New Zealand-based firm has also been selected, in partnership with another, to be the Government’s VAT IT systems provider. 

Subcontractors on the Road Traffic Department project include two Bahamian firms, Network Security Consultant Group  (NSCG) and Smart Consulting (SC). 

“The Government was increasingly concerned with the challenges confronted by the Road Traffic Department, the level of services provided, and the impact on the public. Therefore the Ministry of Finance is excited about this initiative, and we look forward to a successful implementation and the positive benefits that will inure to the public,” said Mr Halkitis.

    “This is a very significant project for the Road Traffic Department,” minister of transport and aviation, Glenys Hanna Martin, told Tribune Business.

“The project is expected to be carried out over 18 months and will really modernise the department, increase efficiency as well as improve its revenue collections.”