One licence to go, please...

GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality boasts a brand-new Motor Vehicle and Registration (MVR) satellite office with a drive-through service for licence disk renewals - a first in the Western Cape province. The building, located next to the Blanco Community Hall, has been upgraded and converted into an office for this purpose.

According to Acting Traffic Chief Vernon Petersen, the new MVR office will have at least four counters where the public will be assisted with bulk MVR services, while the drive-through service will only be available for straightforward renewal of single licence discs.

Petersen said they are just waiting for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to install the computer system before the building will be open for service.

Van Wyk said the second MVR office will increase the capacity for processing licences and reduce waiting periods. The drive-through service will add to the reduction of waiting periods. "The municipality has saved R1,2m by using an existing structure for the new service," he said.

Portfolio Councillor for Protection Services Charlotte Clarke said the facility will take the pressure off the already swamped officials and will improve service delivery. "George wants to move with the times with the new drive-through service and we have heeded calls from the public to increase our capacity," she said.

The MVR offices in Hibernia Street next to the train station will continue with other services as well. By moving the bulk services from the main office, the municipality will ensure quick routine services.

The municipal Human Settlements Directorate assisted with in-house labour for the drive-through driveway's paving.

Staff of the Directorate of Human Settlements finishing off the final touches and paving at the Blanco satellite traffic service office. From left are Gregory Jacobs, Angelo Joseph, Granville Veldman, Phumzile Makaleni, Mayor Leon van Wyk, Stephanus du Plessis, Acting Traffic Chief Vernon Petersen, Portfolio Councillor for Protection Services Charlotte Clarke, and Glen Stokwe, contractor of the project from Ice Gee Contracts.

Glen Stokwe, contractor of the project from Ice Gee Contracts, Mayor Leon van Wyk, Cllr Charlotte Clarke and Acting Traffic Chief Vernon Petersen outside the new satellite traffic licence office in Blanco.

Inside the newly refurbished building where the public will be assisted with bulk renewals are, from left: Glen Stokwe, contractor for the project from Ice Gee Contracts, Acting Traffic Chief Vernon Petersen, Mayor Leon van Wyk and Cllr Charlotte Clarke.