Kikwete donates 10 motorcycles to Arusha bodaboda operators

President Jakaya Kikwete.

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has donated 10 motorcycles to the Boda-boda taxi operators in Arusha, being the fulfillment of the head of state’s promise to the local riders, during the launch of the city, two years ago.

The motorcycles, valued at nearly 16 million/- were officially handed over to the Union of Motorbike Operators in Arusha City (UWAPA) on Thursday, by the Regional Commissioner, Mr Magessa Mulongo, who presented the machines on behalf of President Kikwete, to the Chairman of the riders’ association, Mr Godlight Rugemarila.

The Regional Commissioner, Mr Mulongo, used the occasion to remind the Boda-boda riders that, the government has allowed such bikes to operate as cheap taxis, in order to create employment to the youth in addition to easing transport problems in the country and, therefore, they should not be used for irresponsible activities such as crime or irrational street demos.

“Do not allow politicians to incite you to form or getting involved in chaotic episodes to boost their mileage in politics, while leaving you to suffer in your own once they gain whatever they want,” Mulongo maintained.

During his November 2012 tour of Arusha, President Jakaya Kikwete had instructed local motorcycle riders here to form their own Savings and Credit Cooperative Association (SACCOS), so that they can be assured of reliable source of capital to boost their trade.

The Head of State who was then addressing Arusha Residents during the official launch of “Arusha City,” also promised to contribute to the proposed Motorcycle Riders SACCOS, by injecting in ten motorbikes and these were the ones that the Regional Commissioner issued.

“Personally, I would also support President Kikwete’s initiative by donating 1000 safety jackets to your association,” stated Mr Mulongo who lauded the riders’ recent development in adhering to road safety regulations, something which has helped curb accidents, normally associated with bikes.

The UWAPA-SACCOS Executive Secretary, Mr Salvatory Massawe, said they heed to the president’s call by coming up with their own association which now has grown to having 2, 300 members; “The door is still wide open to other Boda-boda riders in the city to come and join our cooperative as it is an important tool for survival,” stated Mr Massawe.

The Association Chairman, Mr Rugemarila said they now have established 144 motorcycle picking points in the city, operating under the “Umoja wa Wapanda Pikipiki Arusha,” (UWAPA) and all of them are officially registered and each has a prefect to oversee local operations, which means the registered operators can never misbehave.