Abuja Vehicle Owners Can Now Renew Vehicle Particulars from Home
By Patience Ikpeme
Abuja residents are set to benefit from a streamlined process for renewing vehicle particulars, as the Director of Road Transport Service (DRTS) announced that the renewal process can now be initiated from the comfort of their homes.
This development comes as part of efforts to enhance convenience and efficiency in the vehicle registration system.
The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the Commissioner for Insurance/Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas, to Dr. Bello Abdul-Lateef, Director of DRTS. The purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration aimed at addressing insurance irregularities and enhancing road user protection.
Highlighting the challenges faced by vehicle owners, the Director of DRTS Dr. Bello Abdul-Lateef expressed concerns over individuals not receiving the full value of their insurance premiums due to issues such as inadequate coverage and engagement with unauthorized personnel for processing requests.
According to Dr. Abdul-Lateef, “a lot of individuals renewing their vehicle particulars were not getting value for the insurance premium being paid as they did not validate the insurance policies after purchase even though they might have paid N15,000; whereas the cover they were actually given cost N4,000 considering the fact that they may have engaged unauthorised persons to help process their request.”
He emphasized the need for validation of insurance policies to ensure that vehicle owners receive the appropriate coverage for their payments.
In response, the Commissioner for Insurance emphasized the importance of effective collaboration between NAICOM and DRTS to combat third-party motor insurance irregularities. He underscored the significance of active policing to enforce adequate insurance management systems and reduce instances of circumvention of the system.
Furthermore, the Commissioner informed the Director of DRTS about the enhanced third-party motor insurance, which came into effect on January 2, 2023. The premium for third-party motor insurance was increased from N5,000 to N15,000, with corresponding benefits raised from N1,000,000 to N3,000,000 covers, aimed at providing greater protection for road users.
To address the challenges and improve efficiency in the system, the Director of DRTS highlighted the adoption of technology, with 98% of processes now automated. This technological advancement is expected to curb insurance irregularities and streamline the vehicle registration process for residents of Abuja.
The collaboration between NAICOM and DRTS marks a significant step towards enhancing road user protection and ensuring transparency and accountability in the insurance management system. With these initiatives in place, Abuja residents can expect a more seamless and reliable process for renewing their vehicle particulars, contributing to safer roads and better insurance coverage for all.