Take interest in third party enforcement, Group urges Delta CP, Abaniwonda

A group, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace” today urged the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP, Olufemi Abaniwonda to take special interest as the Command begins the enforcement of the third party insurance to avoid extortion by some junior Police officers who also take undue advantages of members of the public with the manner they discharge their duties.

The group made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade(Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen in reaction to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe. 

The Police image maker had on February 4 said that a Police monitoring team had commenced monitoring vehicles to ensure compliance with the policy. He added that a mobile court had also been established to prosecute defaulters.

In a swift reaction the group said,"The third-party insurance enforcement processes should not be perceived as an overly stringent procedure, where defaulters are unfairly treated or detained."

The group noted that,"Many vehicle owners are also unaware of the process and lack knowledge on how to comply to its directives."

According to the group,"Its monitoring processes can initially sensitize the populace for a period instead of imposing penalties at the outset, referring offenders to mobile courts."

The group suggested that, "Delta Police Command should first establish integrity standards while enforcing this process."

It warned that,"failure to do so may trigger or escalate conflicts between the police and vehicle owners, given the current economic hardship experienced by the people."

It also urged CP Abaniwonda to first consider the idea of sensitizing Delta residents through numerous media platforms before effecting a monitoring exercise.

This is coming following the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun's directive on the regarding the third-party motor vehicle insurance policy, and to ensure adequate compensation for accident victims.

The group said the Delta State Police Command must take all necessary steps, firstly to educate Deltan residents on the importance of third-party insurance and the mandatory registration process for all vehicle owners and not mainly focusing on its enforcement plans.