- Safiu Kehinde
Akwa-Ibom State Police Command has commenced the enforcement of the third party insurance compliance in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, led the monitoring team around Uyo metropolis and Ikot Ekpene during the monitoring exercise on Saturday.
According to Azare, the exercise was in compliance with Section 68 of the Insurance Act and Section 312 of the 1945 Motor Vehicle Third Party Insurance Act.
The commissioner said that “it is a legal requirement for all vehicle owners to possess valid third party insurance before operating their vehicles on public roads.”
He added that the exercise was ‘’designed to protect road users, ensure accountability and promote compliance with traffic laws.’’
NPO reported that the Nigeria Police Force had in a statement issued on Friday declared the enforcement of the third party insurance compliance which took effect today.
Following the commencement of the enforcement in the state, the Akwa-Ibom Police Commissioner admitted that people are in compliance with the directive.
“Today, we are here to monitor the enforcement of the third party insurance compliance in Akwa Ibom.
“So far, so good, all the areas we have visited, people are complying.’’ he said.
Azare said that those who had not complied with the act had their vehicles impounded and taken to police station’
He said that until they complied, their vehicles would not be released to them, adding that those who refused to comply would be prosecuted.
The Commissioner, however, noted that ‘’there’s high level of compliance in the state,’’ attributing it to sensitisation meeting with stakeholders by the command.
Azare said that the enforcement would be a continuous exercise until everyone complied with the insurance according to law.
The commissioner said that the command was yet to compile the total number of vehicles impounded, as “the exercise is ongoing across the 31 local government areas of the state.”