It was remarked that an enlightened a public hearing forum has been conducted with regard to the draft proclamation that provides for the Vehicle Insurance against Third Party Risks.

The chairperson of the Infrastructure Affairs Standing Committee in the House hon. Wubneh Emiru has stated this while concluding the public hearing forum on Nov. 16, 2007.

Meanwhile, questions were raised focusing mainly on article 16 of the draft proclamation regarding the extent of liability due to the damages caused by insured vehicles on death and bodily injury that would compensated to victims not exceeding birr 30,000.00 and birr 12,000.00 respectively and others.

The amount of compensation paid to whom death, bodily injury and property damage caused by an insured vehicle is unjust and not in commensurate as compared to lives lost, it was stated.

Meantime, answers in response to raised question were given by the general director of Transport Authority under the Ministry of Transport and Communication his Excellency Ato Kassahun H/Mariam.

As far as the necessity of the proclamation is concerned, the general director said that the establishment of the bill to provide for Vehicle Insurance against Third Party Risks has become necessary to insure the victims when damages caused on their lives, properties and bodily injuries, he has understood.

Besides, the draft proclamation is necessary to establish a system for facilitating the provision of the emergency medical treatment to victims of vehicle accidents, and to require owners of vehicles to have third party insurance, he has explained.

Furthermore, it has become necessary to issue and implement the bill into action for the first time in the country and to cover the vehicle accidents in insurance and as well as to tackle the problems that caused escalating social disturbance therein.

It was stated that stakeholders were engaged in and actively participated in the meeting.