The Road Traffic Department has refuted "irresponsible" claims made by the Free National Movement (FNM) about its new automated systems.

In a press statement, the party claimed that the Road Traffic Department did not have license plates available for customers, as they were still in production in the United States.

It also said the government reengaged Deloitte and Touche in the registration process and that it "side-lined permanent and experienced staff" and made recently hired temporary workers, leader of the automation process.

The department denied the allegations and criticized the party for making them.

"The claims made by the FNM are patently false and irresponsible," the department said in a press statement issued on Thursday night.

"There is no contract with Deloitte and Touche with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to carry out any function at the Road Traffic Department.

"License plates have been produced and the Road Traffic Department expects the plates to be distributed by Monday the 31st of October 2016.

"The consulting company Data Torque successfully won the bid and was approved by the Tenders Board after a competitive process overseen by the Ministry of Finance.

"There has been no doubling of the contract: the sum of $8 million incorporates local consultancies, training, travel, acquisition of hardware and other components to the system.

"The hardworking Road Traffic Department team has been working even harder over the last weeks and days including in the registration of vehicles.

"They have exhibited the highest standards of commitment and excellence of which all Bahamians can be proud. The FNM should not misrepresent their invaluable contribution in this historic and new paradigm in the business of our country."

The statement said the record shows that in 2012, the FNM "halted without explanation the process of automation and for five years allowed the department to languish with all of its inefficiencies and leakage of revenue".

"They set the Bahamian people back," the statement said.

"I fully understand why they panic when they see progress of this nature."

The department rolled out a fully automated road traffic system for the registration of vehicles last week Friday.

During the first few days, the system experienced glitches but the statement said it is progressively improving each day in the processing of customers.

"This important initiative will assist the department in eliminating fraud and theft and other criminality from its operations and thereby protecting public revenue and public safety," the statement read.

"There will very soon be unprecedented efficiency and convenience to the Bahamian people.

"A win-win for all of our people."

Jayme C. Pinder, Guardian Staff Reporter

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