The Transport Licensing Appeals Board has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to file a detailed compliance report on vehicles belonging to NICCO Sacco as a dispute over the revocation of the sacco’s operating licence intensifies.
The order followed arguments by both sides over whether the sacco had complied with earlier directions requiring vehicles flagged by the regulator to undergo inspection.
Appearing for NICCO Sacco, lawyer Danstan Omari told the tribunal that the sacco had complied with the orders by presenting vehicles for inspection, paying the required fees and filing affidavits to demonstrate compliance.
Omari argued that vehicles which had already met regulatory requirements should not remain grounded as inspections continue on the rest of the fleet.
“Those who have complied should not be punished because others are still undergoing the process,” he submitted.
For NTSA, Mary Kahumba opposed the application, saying the sacco had not fully complied with the tribunal’s orders. She told the board that only 46 of the 51 vehicles identified by the regulator had been presented for inspection and that just six had passed.
According to Kahumba, several vehicles failed inspection due to defects affecting roadworthiness and safety.
“Payment of inspection fees does not amount to compliance. The vehicles must be inspected and certified by the authority,” she said.
The tribunal questioned NTSA on the absence of a schedule showing which vehicles had passed inspection, which had failed and the specific reasons for non-compliance. Members of the board noted that the information was necessary to enable them make an informed decision on whether the revocation should remain in force.
Omari maintained that his clients were not seeking to have unroadworthy vehicles returned to service, insisting that any vehicle found unsafe should remain off the road.
“If the vehicles that have been presented are not fit to be on the road, this tribunal cannot impose them to be on the road. Neither will I push for them to be on the road,” he said.
He further accused NTSA of taking an overly harsh position against the sacco and urged the regulator to file its compliance report without further delay so the matter could be determined on the basis of verified inspection results.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal ordered NTSA to file and serve a schedule of compliance for NICCO Sacco’s fleet by the close of business on June 24, 2026.
The matter will be mentioned virtually on June 25, 2026, when the board is expected to give further directions after reviewing the regulator’s report.
