Residents of Atebubu and surrounding communities in the far east of the Bono East Region can now access a wider range of Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) services without travelling long distances to other parts of the region.

The DVLA office in Atebubu was officially commissioned on Wednesday, September 2, marking an important step towards bringing the authority’s services closer to residents in the area.

The office is expected to provide services including the renewal of driving licences, vehicle registration and licensing, as well as other services offered by the DVLA across the country.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer responsible for Services at the DVLA, Lawyer Foster Akwasi Asante, said the establishment of the Atebubu office is part of a broader move to decentralise the authority’s operations and make its services more accessible to residents.

He explained that the DVLA will also extend its services to some satellite areas within the zone, including Yeji, whenever necessary.

According to him, staff from the Atebubu office will periodically visit satellite locations such as Yeji to provide DVLA services to residents until there is sufficient justification and demand for the establishment of a full district office in Yeji.

Meanwhile, the President of the Atebubu Traditional Council and Atebubumanwura, HRM Ohenpong Dr. Ohenpong Yeboah Asiamah, has been commended for his contribution towards making the establishment of the DVLA office in Atebubu a reality.

The traditional leader paid the rent worth Gh¢70,836 in advance for the current DVLA office in fulfilment of the promise he made to pay for the 2-year rent for the DVLA when he visited the headquarters in Accra. He has also made land available for the construction of a permanent DVLA office in Atebubu whenever the authority is ready to undertake the project.

The gesture, according to the traditional authority, is aimed at supporting the decentralisation of government services and ensuring that the people of Atebubu and surrounding communities continue to have easy access to DVLA services.

HRM Ohenpong Dr. Yeboah Asiamah expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the government for the establishment of the office.

However, while welcoming the development, he said the people of Atebubu, like Oliver Twist, are asking for more.

He therefore appealed to the government to turn its attention to three pressing needs of the area — roads, water and healthcare.

On roads, HRM Ohenpong Dr. Yeboah Asiamah called for particular attention to the Ejura -Yeji road, stressing the need for the route to be upgraded and asphalted to improve transportation, particularly the movement of food and other goods, and boost economic activity in the area.

He also raised concerns about the persistent water challenges confronting residents, describing access to potable water as one of the major problems facing the area, especially during the dry season.

The traditional leader further appealed to government to provide Atebubu with a befitting health facility.

He noted that the town has expanded considerably over the years and continues to serve as a healthcare destination for residents from several surrounding communities.

He believes a modern and well-equipped health facility would not only serve the people of Atebubu but also reduce pressure on existing facilities and improve access to quality healthcare for communities within the wider area.

The commissioning of the DVLA office therefore marks another addition to public services in Atebubu, with the traditional authority also providing both immediate and long-term support through the payment of rent for the current facility and the provision of land for a future permanent DVLA office.

As the people welcome the new development, attention is now turning to their broader demands for improved roads, reliable water supply and better healthcare infrastructure.