By Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia Transport Union has raised concern about the increasing number of road accident in the country and called on the police to step up effort in addressing the issue.
“It is of great concern to the Union regarding the increasing number of road accidents in our dear motherland, and it is time we come out and address the issue. We need to take drastic steps toward addressing it. First and foremost is to review our motor traffic act and the insurance act because these laws exist since colonial days.
“We have many vehicles on our roads today and almost all of them are with valid insurance covers, for both passenger vehicles and goods. But it is very unfortunate that many victims are not benefiting from the insurance compensation. Many Insurance companies are not fulfilling their mandate, as insurance is mandated for all vehicles to be insured before using our roads. It should also be mandatory compensation to the accidents and victims. We are urgently calling on The Central Bank of Gambia as the regulatory authority to assess insurance companies and their claims,” Omar Ceesay, President of the union said.
He emphasised that if any one goes to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital he or she will see how road accidents victims are faring without receiving any compensation from insurance companies. Many people lost their lives in road accidents and their families never received any compensation from insurance companies. “Many people are in our homes with permanent injuries and they have never received any compensation from insurance companies, therefore one may ask what the essence of insurance is, many insurance companies should be scrutinized in other to check their ways of operations,” he added.
“We are urgently calling on the Gambia Police Force not to enforce the insurance on our roads because many Gambians are not benefiting from insurance cover. We are urgently calling on the Commissioner of Insurance, to strictly monitor the operation of insurance companies. We are urgently calling on the Central Bank of the Gambia, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure, Gambia Police Force, National Assembly, and GCCPC to step in so that we will have a level playing ground for everyone,” he added.