Vehicle owners seek clarity on accident levy
Vehicle owners seeking clarification about the new Motor Vehicle Accident Levy established through the Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji, were happy with the services offered by the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Speaking to the Fiji Sun yesterday Anil Chand of Nausori said he was satisfied with the customer service by LTA officers who warmly greeted him and cleared the air on the new accident levy issue.
The commission has been set up as a corporate body under the Accident Compensation Act 2017 (‘Act’), to make provisions for compensation in respect of persons who suffer personal injury or death as a result of a motor vehicle accident in Fiji.
The Act and the new ‘no fault compensation’ scheme will apply to motor vehicle accidents in Fiji occurring on or after January 1st, 2018. From January 1st, vehicle owners do not have to pay compulsory Third Party insurance anymore, instead they will pay a Motor Vehicle Accident levy.
Mr Chand said he heard through the radio a news article about the new compensation, but he was not sure what it actually meant because the radio report was brief. “When I heard from a friend that it comes into effect from January 1st, I decided to come to LTA and enquire about it. I was pleased that I did not have to wait in the line for hours, but was served within minutes and the officer explained in detail what the levy was all about,” he said.
LTA board chairman Vijay Maharaj has urged all motor vehicle owners to come forward and pay the levy, which is compulsory for all motor vehicles in the country, for the process of motor vehicle registration and renewal. “With the levy collection coming into effect we urge vehicle owners to visit their nearest LTA office for any clarification and pay levies. Do make use of the available services,” Mr Maharaj said.
Vehicle owner, Jone Vakarau, of Nasinu said he was pleased with the services he was provided by the officers when he went to pay a fine and apply for a Group Five licence. “The customer service centre at LTA was busy and full, but we did not have to wait in line for long to be served.
“The department has definitely improved a lot,” he said.
Edited by Percy Kean