Boda-Boda riders on the streets of Juba conduct safety awareness of Boda-Boda riders in campaign dubbed “Ride for Peace, “Ride for Safety,” on 28th March 2018. (Photo: UNMISS.

The Inspector General of Police has issued a directive for motorbike riders, commonly known as boda-boda in Juba to use helmets within two weeks while restricting the lifting of passengers to only one.

This is to reinforce travel rules and safety. According to 1st Lieutenant General Atem Marol Biar, every boda-boda rider must have two helmets including the passenger.

Teenagers under the age of 18 are prohibited from riding motorbikes.

Major General Daniel Justin who is the police spokesperson explained the directives to the media this afternoon.

“The Inspector General of Police met with the chairman of the Boda-Boda association of Central Equatoria state, and they discussed issues related to activities or operations of Boda-Boda in the city.

“We were directed to inform the public every boda-boda must have a helmet for the boda-boda rider and the passenger.

“At the same time, it has been observed that young people under age are riding boda-boda and Rickshaws and this is banned right away from today.”

Levi Abugo Lasuba is the chairperson of the Boda-Boda Riders Association in Central Equatoria state.

He said the directives followed a resolution of a meeting between the Central Equatoria State Boda-boda Association and the Police this morning.

“We came out with directives based on our meeting with the IGP. He (Gen.Marol) directed all the boda-boda riders that starting tomorrow, they should have two helmets, one for the rider and one for the passenger.

“Secondly, the IGP directed that boda-boda riders should only carry one passenger and that when you carry goods on your boda-boda, you should not carry someone else.”

“Thirdly, the IGP also directed that all boda-boda riders should ensure that their motorbikes have side mirrors.

Fourthly, the IGP said anyone who is a boda-boda rider should be 18 years old and above, he said.

In October last year, the Directorate of Traffic Police ordered its police personnel to crack down on motorbike riders who do not adhere to traffic laws and those riding without helmets.

Major General Kon John Akot, the Director-General of traffic police asked police officers to enforce the mandatory wearing of helmets for motorbike riders as of today, October 29th. But this was hardly implemented.