 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
toubab1020
12311 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 12:09:08
|
Looks a good idea on the face of it,BUT I did notice a few points that will make this unpopular with people using the roads:
"before a vehicle is tested, the driver should present a testing certificate that is obtainable at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA)."
I think this means pay up front,(how much is this "certificate"? )before the police will test your vehicle another cash raising excercise,increase in the cost of fuel and now another tax for minibus drivers,transport may well be reduced.I do not know how many Gambian police officers are technically trained to examine brakes on commercial vehicles for instance.
Also:
"the police have also started parking bicycles that do not have correct brakes, reflectors, among others."
"Commenting on this new development, Superintendent Sulayman Secka, PRO of GPF, said that the police have now realised that a lot of bicycles have been plying the road without lights, reflectors and even brakes, which have been causing lots of road accidents involving bicycles. He revealed that the police went out on the 21 January 2011 to impound bicycles that are not eligible to ply the road, and they have parked about 151 bicycles within the Greater Banjul Area."
In other words police have confiscated 151 bicycles from the poorest road users ,how are they to retrieve their property? pay a fee? after producing the necessary items to get their property roadworthy.
It is true that un-roadworthy vehicles of any kind are a hazard and a danger to everyone and action should be taken I do feel that the implemention of the measures have not been though out sufficiently to be fair and are a glaring invitation to corruption at all levels.
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/police-embark-on-vehicle-testing
Police embark on vehicle testing
Africa » Gambia
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
In a bid to improve road safety, the Mobile Traffic Unit of the Gambia Police Force, on Monday embarked on testing of commercial and private vehicles.
As part of this initiative, new traffic rules were introduced. The rules included reduction of passengers' seats for the apprentice of each commercial vehicle to have a space to sit comfortably with passengers, among others. Speaking to reporters about this new development at the Independence Stadium, deputy public relations officer of GPF, ASP Yerro Mballow, said that this year the Inspector General of Police (IGP) came up with an initiative for all vehicles to be thoroughly tested to ensure their fitness to ply the roads.
According to him, the commercial vehicles locally called 'gele gele' that used to carry 31 passengers, now take 25 passengers, and disclosed that police testing officers will also look at the vehicle's brakes, hooting instrument (horn), signal, brake and park lights, among others.
ASP Mballow also disclosed that before a vehicle is tested, the driver should present a testing certificate that is obtainable at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA). "After going through the test, if satisfied the person will be given a sticker that will satisfy the licensing officers, and all drivers must go through this testing before their licences are renewed," he remarked. He urged passengers to cooperate with the police in implementing this initiative and to report any driver who is not following these rules to take punitive actions against a defaulter.
For his part, Superintendent Siaka Joof, the principal licensing officer in the Kanifing Municipality, described the activity as an important one, noting that it concerns peoples' lives. Lamin Fofana, a van driver told reporters that the new rules are essential because of the number of passengers he carries. In a similar development, the police have also started parking bicycles that do not have correct brakes, reflectors, among others.
Commenting on this new development, Superintendent Sulayman Secka, PRO of GPF, said that the police have now realised that a lot of bicycles have been plying the road without lights, reflectors and even brakes, which have been causing lots of road accidents involving bicycles. He revealed that the police went out on the 21 January 2011 to impound bicycles that are not eligible to ply the road, and they have parked about 151 bicycles within the Greater Banjul Area.
According to PRO, it is a petty that bicycle owners don’t know that this new development is meant for their own safety. He therefore urged all bicycle riders to put reflectors on their bicycles for drivers to see them at night to avoid accidents. Fadia Jarjue, commissioner of Mobile Traffic Unit in Kanifing, expressed similar sentiments.
Author: by Fatou Sowe
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
 |
|
|
Topic Locked
