FRSC, NIA collaborate to make Nigerian roads safe, secure with insurance

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) said they are committed to making Nigerian roads safe and secure for motorists and the public through effective enforcement of compulsory motor vehicle insurance, which ensures that crash victims have adequate and prompt medical attention, and owners of damaged properties resulting from insured motor crashes are also adequately compensated.

Osita Chidoka, corps marshal, FRSC gave the assurance during the official presentation of some units of HP Elite Pad 900 by Nigerian Insurers Association(NIA) to assist the FRSC in its verification of genuine insurance documents of motorist on Nigerian roads.

Chidoka said the Commission was working out collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders including the Nigerian insurance industry through a technology platform that would promote right attitude of motorists and ensure safety and protection of road users.

“We have one solution that has multiple facets that would assist in guaranteeing safety of road users and motorist, and one of it is the new vehicle plate number which when concluded will help several agencies key in to make the roads safer and secure for the Nigerian people.

“Insurance industry in Nigeria has come of age because they have become more responsive to their obligations, so medical bills of crash victims should no longer be an issue, while crash vehicles also will no longer be abandoned on the roads, because insurance companies will pick the bill once the insurance is established.

“A situation where hospitals or doctors reject crash victims or deny them treatment is over because the insurance companies will pay. The Corps Marshal however sounded a note of warning that “No more will insurance companies refuse to pay their claims when there is accident, as we shall raise alarm and make such company face the law.”

Sunday Thomas, director general, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), who led the delegation said the Nigerian Insurance Industry appreciates the efforts being made by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at ensuring safety of Nigerian roads users.

He said the donation of units of HP Elite Pad 900 to the FRSC was to assist its fieldsmen ensure that vehicles on the road carry genuine insurance documents so that there would be compensation to victims who sustain injuries or die as result of crash.

In his own words Thomas stated “We see this collaboration as one that should enhance value creation for the Nigerian people and also enhance insurance sector contribution to the social and economic development of the Nation.”