FRSC to auction all unclaimed vehicles in A’Ibom

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Akwa Ibom Command on Wednesday said that it will auction all unclaimed vehicles in their custody that were impounded six months ago.

The was contained in a statement issued by Mr Paul James, Command Public Enlightenment/Public Relations Officer on behalf of the Sector Commander, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Wednesday.

James said that the Corps reserved the right to invoke relevant section of the law to auction any impounded vehicles not claimed after six months.

He explained that traffic offenders, who were offered with offence sheet and their documents confiscated and vehicles impounded should claim their vehicles or be auctioned.

“Consequently, traffic offenders who are issued with notice of offence sheet, either have their documents confiscated or vehicles impounded to secure payment of their fine or prosecution.

“Unfortunately, people tend to forget the fact that any unclaimed impounded vehicle that have exceeded six months in FRSC custody, the Corps shall invoke the relevant sections of the law to dispose of the unclaimed vehicles by auction.

“However, this serves as to remind the public that the provisions of the extant regulations backing FRSC to carry out such obligations as contained in section 10 (5) (b) & (h) and section 10 (b) of the (Establishment) Act, 2007 which stipulates that:

“In the discharge of the functions of the Corps by or under this Act and notwithstanding the provision of section 18 (1) of the Act, a member of the Corps shall have power to impound any vehicle by which any offence under this Act is reasonably suspected to have been committed.

“Provided that if the driver or owner of the vehicle fails to reclaim such vehicle within six months of the date of its detention.

“The Corps may apply to the High Court for an order forfeiting the vehicle to the Corps, which may thereafter, dispose of the vehicle by public auction and deposit the proceed of the sale into the Government treasury,” he said.

He said that the Corps was the statutory agency responsible for traffic management, preventing and minimising road traffic crashes on the highways.

The PRO enjoined  the public to adhere to all traffic rules and regulations to ensure safety on the roads across the state and country.