By Buba Gagigo
The Ministry of Interior has warned that vehicles caught plying the roads without number plates affixed to their front and back will be impounded by the police and kept in impound until a number plate is affixed to them.
“It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Interior that some vehicles including government-owned vehicles are plying the roads across the country without number plates on the front and back elevation of the vehicles,” the ministry said.
The ministry said when such vehicles are apprehended, the police shall keep them in its custody until a number plate is affixed to them. Furthermore, each day, a number plate remains unaffixed, the person or the owner shall be fined D100.
“On that note, all owners of vehicles plying the roads without registered number plates within the country are required to install a legally obtained number plate on the front and back elevation of their vehicles to ensure a safe and secure environment. This Ministry takes this matter seriously because it is a security issue,” they said.
The ministry said the practice is against the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Act 2013 of The Gambia (Section 25 A) and said this particular section (Section 25 A) states that:
“(1) A person shall not use or cause or permit another person to use a vehicle without a number plate. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine of nothing less than D10, 000 and not more than D20, 000 and in default to imprisonment for two (2) years with hard labour. (3):”
“The concerned authorities and all vehicle owners are therefore requested to comply with the regulations stipulated in the Motor Traffic (Amendment) Act 2013. Anyone found wanting will be intercepted by The Gambia Police Force in accordance with the law. The general public’s cooperation is highly solicited,” they concluded.