Bukavu, 22March 2014 - 200 motor-taxi drivers were sensitized Wednesday 19 March 2014 on increased respect for the traffic rules and police motorcyclists’ code of conduct, facilitated by MONUSCO, in collaboration with the Provincial Ministry for Transport, the Mayor of Bukavu, the Congolese National Police and Civil Society organizations.

When launching the awareness session for the 200 motorcycle taxi drivers, the provincial minister for transports and tourism, Jacques Rukeba Rukabya,highlighted the importance of transport in the development of a country. He insisted on the fact that transport of goods and people requires safety. Amani Amadou, representing the chief MONUSCO office said the awareness session was firstly aimed at building motorcycle taxi drivers’ capacities to provide the very best transport services in keeping with the traffic regulations for road safety.

The concepts raised had to do with the highway code, the police motorcyclists’ code of good conduct, safety measures for motorcycle taxi drivers and clients, motorcycle taxi drivers’ role to ensure road safety, social protection for motorcycle taxi drivers in the event of accident, implementation of the law in case of popular justice.The trainers came from the Congolese National Police, the National Insurance Company (SONAS), MONUSCO and the United Nations Safety and Security Department(UNDSS).

According to Charles Mukambilo, the provincial coordinator of motorcycle drivers’ association known asAPROMOTESKI, more than 80% of the motorcycle drivers are not familiar with traffic rules and are discourteous while on duty. This is the main cause of the accidents that take a heavy toll on the motorcycle taxi drivers, clients and other people.

MONUSCO/Alain Likota