By Abdoulie JohnThe Operations Manager of Comfort Quality Services Ltd, Ousman Njai, Monday reassured the public that his company will provide them with high security number plates that would respond to emerging technologies.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Gambia Police Force (GPF), Comfort Operations Manager revealed that they are currently operating from three Police Stations (Banjul Police HQ, Kairaba Police Station and Brikama Police Station). He then announced that plans are in high gear to go nationwide by the end of November in order “to make registration accessible in all regions of The Gambia.”
“It is a very sophisticated system, designed purposely to make our roads safe,” Ousman Njai told a groups of reporters during a news conference held at Comfort Quality Services Ltd headquarters located along Gacem road in Kanifing Industrial Area.
Comfort Quality Services Ltd was recently awarded by Gambia government a 65 million dalasis contract for the production of vehicles number plates. As a Gambian owned company, Comfort has been making waves for the past 25 years in many areas.
Njai said their number plate, which is built on an Electronic Vehicle Management System, will ensure that all traffic checks are carried out effectively.
Working in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Gambia Police Force (GPF), Comfort Operations Manager revealed that they are currently operating from three Police Stations (Banjul Police HQ, Kairaba Police Station and Brikama Police Station). He then announced that plans are in high gear to go nationwide by the end of November in order “to make registration accessible in all regions of The Gambia.”Concerning the registration process, Njai made it clear that vehicle and motorcycle owners can go to any branch of Trust Bank across the country to make their payment.
An e-receipt, he said, will subsequently be given with an unique reference number.
“The e-receipt along with the correct documents for vehicle or motorcycle is then presented to any of our offices mentioned above for registration and to acquire a number plate,” he added.
More importantly, Comfort Operations Manager further stated that the Electronic Vehicle Management System encompasses a Q.R (Quick Response) system.
He also pointed out that “every vehicle roadworthy in The Gambia will have Q.R sticker on their wide-screen that will be loaded with vehicle and owner information, that when scanned will reveal the information of the vehicle instantly on a hand held mobile device given to traffic officers.”
When asked whether the infrastructure surrounding the Electronic Vehicle Management System is strong enough to resist a massive cyber attack, Comfort IT Specialist, Ansumana Ceesay, responded in the affirmative.
Ceesay confided to reporters that they are using Apache as web server, which has a good reputation for security.
“Apache server can run a minimum of 30 good years without shutting it down,” he revealed.
He said the system is unbreakable as those with malicious intent will find impossible to make duplication etc.
Police spokesperson ASP Lamin Njie, who took part in the presser, seized the opportunity to clear air over receipts issued by Gambia Revenue Authirity (GRA) to vehicle or motorcycle owner who are yet to get their number plate.
“We want to let them know that plans are underway that Comfort Quality Services Ltd will start issuing them number plates,” he assured. “We also have a backup battery bank system that is able to work for 8 hours when there is power shortage.”
Police PRO further stated that the country’s law enforcement body will make an announcement about the issue.
Njie said once the announcement is done, people can come with their authentic receipt in order to get the number plate. He said the use of high security number plate is mandatory. As such, people who have already acquired number plate have the possibility to replace it if they wish to do so.
“Right now, we are not saying that people should forcefully change their number plate,” ASP Njie said.
Ends