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.

Some motorcyclists have condemned the Traffic Police ban on their movements during Christmas days in Juba – saying it will take away their only source of livelihood.

On Thursday, the Director-General of the National Traffic Police issued a rare directive banning motorbikes movement during the Christmas holidays.

Major General Kon John Akot argued that the measure is to reduce road accidents during the festive seasons.

In response, the Boda-boda riders expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.

Speaking to Eye Radio this morning, they suggested that the traffic police should deploy enough officers to facilitate movement in the streets on Christmas Eve.

“I do not agree with the decision to stop motorcycles. For eleven years, I work as a motorcycle driver, and it is the source of my livelihood,” said Makuach (not his real name).

“I am also educated and have certificates, but the lack of job opportunities forced me to seek asylum as a motorcycle driver,” he added.

Commonly known as the Boda-Boda, bikes represent the biggest mean of transport, accounting for an estimated 70,000 across the country.

But the riders, mostly young men below 35, have complained of deadly robberies against them, harassment and negligence from the now-defunct National Boda-boda Association.

“I am against the decision. The issue is not only an accident case but there are some circumstances that need a motorcycle driver in the city to do it, such as delivering some patients to the hospital,” said John (not his real name).

John says driving motorcycles is the source of “our income and stopping us from work means losing our source of livelihood.”

“It is not motorcycle drivers that cause accidents, but even vehicle drivers. I appeal to them to provide the largest number of traffic men to organize the movement on Christmas Day,” he said.

“I work as a motorcycle driver to support my mother and brothers at home when my father passed away, and I am responsible for providing for their needs. What should I do if our work is stopped?” asked another.

“And if he insists on stopping our work, they should provide alternatives so that we can carry out our social responsibilities, because I support my family, so I am against this decision.”

Meanwhile, Director-General Kon said the order will only take two days.

According to him, the order will come into effect on December 24 – the first day of the Christmas celebration and will elapse on December 26.

“We have decided to prevent motorbikes from roaming during the festive period in Juba, starting from the twenty-fourth day until the end of the holiday, because of their danger and that they cause a lot of loss of property and lives.”

Speaking to the national television – SSBC on Thursday, he also appealed to traffic police personnel not to harass water tanker drivers.

In one week alone in September this year, the Traffic Police in Juba recorded a total of 106 traffic accidents that occurred across the country, resulting in 3 deaths, 121 injuries, and 58 in damage.

According to Lt. Gen. James Rout Wuor, an average of seven to ten people dies monthly due to motorcycle accidents in the country.