Africa-Press – Liberia. Transport Minister Sirleaf Ralph Tyler disclosed that the ministry does not have the statutory mandate to process insurance documents.
The Ministry of Transport and the Liberia National Police (LNP) have launched an investigation into reports linking some of its employees to the alleged falsification of insurance documents at the ministry.
Currently, the ministry is enforcing the third-party liability insurance policy for tricycles and motorcycles. But there have been reports and complaints from motorists that some employees at the ministry are engaged in the unwholesome habit of collecting their monies and refusing to issue them insurance and registration documents.
They have also been accused of issuing fake insurance documents to motorcyclists and others.
But addressing a news conference in Monrovia on Thursday, June 6, Transport Minister Sirleaf Ralph Tyler disclosed that the ministry does not have the statutory mandate to process insurance documents for commercial or private vehicles, tricycles or motorbikes in the country.
He noted that the allegation against some employees of the ministry has the propensity to tarnish the image of the institution, and as such, the ministry has launched an investigation and those found culpable will be penalized in keeping with the laws of the country.
He stressed that though employees of the ministry that are allegedly involved in the faking of issuance documents have not been identified, anyone found guilty will not go with impunity.
“I stand before you to address and clarify recent unfounded rumors and misinformation circulating about the Ministry of Transport’s involvement in the processing of insurance documents for commercial motorbikes. Let me be unequivocally clear: the Ministry of Transport is not, and has never been, in the business of processing insurance documents for commercial motorbikes or any other vehicles. These baseless allegations undermine the integrity of the good men and women that work at the Ministry of Transport and the institution as a whole,” he said.
According to him, only licensed insurance companies operating in the country are clothed with the authority to process insurance documents for vehicles, tricycles and motorbikes.
Withdraw agents
Minister Tyler pointed out that as part of efforts to address the issue of falsification, the ministry has taken a decisive action by mandating all insurance companies operating in the country to recall their agents from within and around the facilities of the ministry.
According to him, the measure is intended to ensure that there is no confusion about the role and responsibilities of the ministry.
He pointed out that the ministry will work along with the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), through its Mayor, to give the surroundings of the ministry a facelift.
“We are not in a fence and so, we cannot control the public easement across the streets. But we can work with the City Mayor to clean around our building to give taxpayers flexibility and freedom to come and do business with us and we can offer better service delivery in that way.”
Minister Tyler disclosed that insurance is a key requisite for the registration of vehicles and as such, vehicle owners should process their insurance documents to any of the over duly registered and recognized insurance companies operating in the country, instead of paying to those he called “expeditors” or any unauthorized employees at the ministry.
According to him, the ministry would no longer allow anyone to process their insurance documents at its facilities in Monrovia, adding that, “we will only verify what they sent to us.”
He maintained that authorities at the ministry will address and handle the issue involving the issuance of fake insurance internally, but cannot “deal with what is happening on the streets.”
He admonished the public to avoid processing their insurance and registration documents with their friends in the communities or on the sidewalks.
“The Ministry of Transport does not and will not facilitate insurance processes; this remains the domain of licensed insurance companies. Moreover, we are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of certain Ministry employees in illegal activities related to faking insurance documents. If any employee is found guilty of such misconduct, they will face the full consequences as per the laws that govern the Civil Servants Standing Order.”
He stated that public safety remains the primary goal of the ministry and as such, processing documents fraudulently or by-passing the ministry to fake documents will not be tolerated.
He, however, pledged the ministry’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
“We understand the public’s concern and we are working diligently to resolve this matter. We ask for your patience and support as we navigate this challenging situation. Our primary goal is to ensure the safety, reliability, and transparency of all transport services in our jurisdiction.”
Speaking further, Minister Tyler said the ministry intends to have finger-printed controls over those who are applying for registration and driver licenses, a customer care delivery system to accommodate more clients and as such, citizens and foreign residents should take advantage of acquiring these documents at the ministry.
The aftermath of fake insurance
Many owners and drivers of commercial and private vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles have been faced with numerous problems, ranging from arrest and prosecution, shouldering claims and liabilities accrued from accidents and theft due to the issuance of fake insurance documents to them by unscrupulous individuals.
Some of these individuals, who considered themselves as “expeditors” or employees of the ministry, overly-charged those seeking to obtain their registration and insurance documents.
They are normally seen before the premises of the Ministry of Transport rushing to individuals coming to inquire about or pay for registration or insurance processes.
The huge number of unrecognized and unidentified “expeditors” at the Ministry of Transport is due to the snail-pace of the processing of registration, driver license and other documents by the relevant personnel at the ministry. The high rate of unemployment in the country is another contributing factor.
Many “expeditors” see the ministry as a “hustle ground.”
The consistent “system is down or go come back” scenario at the ministry continues to frustrate citizens and foreign residents, who travel long distances to either process or receive their documents at the ministry.
The incorporation and proper identification of expeditors to facilitate the smooth and timely processing of vehicle registration and driver licenses would serve as a win-win situation for all if the process is adequately managed by the Ministry of Transport.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
