Dar motorcycle riders to issue licences as LATRA agents

DAR ES SALAAM: MOTORCYCLE riders in Dar es Salaam, through their cooperative society, will now act as official agents for the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA), issuing licences for motorcycles, rickshaws, taxis and special hire cars.

LATRA’s Director of Road and Transport, DCP Johansen Kahatano, presented the official agent certificate to the Dar es Salaam Region Motorcycle Transport Officers’ Cooperative Society (MAUPIDA SACCOS LTD) in the city on Wednesday.

This new partnership is a key part of LATRA’s strategy to empower young entrepreneurs and boost their economic well-being.

The authority has the mandate to issue the agent certificate to the SACCOS under regulation three (3) of the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Public Service Vehicles), Regulations of 2020, as amended in 2023.

As a certified agent, MAUPIDA SACCOS will retain 20 per cent of all revenue collected from licensing fees. This income will be used as capital, enabling members to access loans and expand their businesses.

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Kahatano stated that this initiative is a direct way for the government to ensure the transport sector benefits individuals and contributes to national economic growth.

MAUPIDA is one of three cooperative societies in the country to be approved as a LATRA agent.

The others are the Kilimanjaro Bajaji and Bodaboda Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited (KIBABOT SACCOS Limited) and the Mwanza Bajaji and Bodaboda Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited (UWAMWA SACCOS Limited).

Speaking at the event, Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo urged the SACCOS members to use this opportunity to improve their lives and called on all riders to prioritise road safety to prevent accidents.

Said Chenja, Chairman of the Federation of Motorcycle and Bajaj Riders Associations in Dar es Salaam, praised the initiative, noting that it will strengthen the cooperative system and allow members to venture into other economic activities.