Police call for joint efforts to educate bodaboda riders on road safety

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Police Force, through its Traffic Division, has called for a strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration in educating motorcycle taxi operators, popularly known as bodaboda, on road safety to help prevent accidents and save lives.

The appeal was made in Dar es Salaam by the Head of Operations in the Traffic Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Mwakabonga, on behalf of the National Traffic Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) William Mkonda.

ACP Mwakabonga made the remarks while officiating the launch of a nationwide campaign dubbed “Chuma kwa Chuma Sio Poa”, organised by Oryx Energies Tanzania. The initiative aims to raise awareness and promote safe riding behaviour among bodaboda riders across the country.

He said public education is a shared responsibility and called on all sectors to play their part in sensitising motorcycle riders about road safety.

“Education is essential to help riders abandon the habit of violating traffic rules, which is the main cause of accidents,” he said.

ACP Mwakabonga thanked Oryx Energies Tanzania for supporting the cause through the distribution of road safety equipment such as helmets, fire extinguishers, and other protective gear aimed at reducing accidents and injuries among riders.

As part of the campaign, Oryx Energies Tanzania also donated five modern solar-powered movable kiosks for use by traffic police officers. The kiosks will help protect officers from sun and rain while on duty, and are expected to enhance the working environment of police stationed along major roads.

Speaking during the launch, Managing Director of Oryx Energies Tanzania, Mr Imani Mtafya, said the campaign seeks to increase awareness and drive positive behavioural change among bodaboda, bajaji (three-wheeler), and other road users.

He said the goals of the ‘Chuma kwa Chuma Sio Poa’ campaign include providing road safety education to motorcycle and tricycle operators in collaboration with the police, distributing safety tools such as solar-powered kiosks, helmets, high-visibility vests, fire extinguishers, and quality lubricants, and conducting safety training sessions for over 200 transporters in each district of Dar es Salaam, with plans to expand nationwide.

Mr Mtafya urged riders to seize the opportunity to learn and become road safety ambassadors in their communities. He also highlighted the media’s role in spreading the campaign’s message to ensure that road safety becomes a national priority.

“Many accidents are preventable. Education and responsibility are our strongest tools,” he said, while officially launching the campaign. He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the initiative, reaffirming the company’s commitment to promoting safety and community development.

On his part, Managing Director of Oryx Gas Tanzania Limited (OGTL), Mr Benoit Araman, said the campaign will equip more than 200 bodaboda and bajaji riders per district in Dar es Salaam with essential road safety knowledge, with efforts to expand across the country.

“We believe that by working together, we can reduce road accidents, save lives, promote clean energy, and contribute to the economic and social development of our nation,” said Mr Araman.

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Representing the bodaboda riders, their leader Mr Saidi Kagomba commended the police for their ongoing efforts to provide road safety education. He stressed the need for continuous public awareness campaigns, noting that many riders operate without sufficient knowledge of traffic laws and safety regulations.

“The key is to provide this education regularly because most riders lack formal training in road safety matters,” Mr Kagomba said.

The campaign is expected to roll out in various regions, with the aim of reaching thousands of riders and fostering a safer road environment across the country.