By Buba Gagigo
The Gambia Transport Union (GTU) has expressed great concern over the increasing number of fatal road accidents in The Gambia and suggested ways to tackle the problem and make improvements to the laws that govern traffic and motor vehicle insurance.
In a statement released to the press, the union proposed the need for a revisit of the traffic and insurance acts that it claims date back to the colonial era.
“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 is very unfortunate that many victims are not benefiting from the insurance compensation. Many Insurance companies are not fulfilling their mandate, as it is the mandatory insurance for all vehicles to be insured before using our roads it should also be mandatory compensation to the accidents and victims”
The union also calls on the Central Bank of the Gambia, the regulatory authority, to assess insurance companies and their operations to make sure insurance claims are adjudicated and paid accordingly.
“If one goes to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, you will see how road accidents victims are fairing 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 is the essence of insurance? Many insurance companies should be scrutinized in other to check their ways of operations” -the statement continues
The Gambia Transport Union (GTU), in the statement, also calls on the Gambia Police Force to stop enforcing the insurance on our roads because many Gambians are not benefiting from insurance cover.
“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, the Gambia Police Force, the National Assembly, and GCCPC to step in so that we will have a level playing ground for everyone. Our new Slogan is no Settlement of Claims no Payment of Premium”
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