By William Madouk
A legislator from the national legislative assembly criticized the Boda-boda Association in Juba for extorting money from bike riders and ignoring their concerns.
Lawmaker Majak Abraham, who represents Jonglei State, stated that the South Sudan Boda-boda Association is focused on collecting membership fees but neglecting the issues faced by boda-boda riders.
“My point of information is on an association called South Sudan Boda-boda Association in Juba [but] when our hustling youth riding boda-boda got involved in an accident the association do not support them,” he said.
He claimed that the association is collecting money without issuing receipts to boda-boda operators.
“The association demands the resources; they collect from them (boda-boda riders) on a monthly and weekly basis and the (Association) is unable to issue them receipts,” he argued.
MP cited that, by law, the boda-boda association was supposed to compensate for road accidents and stolen bikes, however; in the event of such, the bodies distance themselves from obligation.
“I am calling on that self-claimed boda-boda association at least in whatever they do – they should be compensating those who are getting into accidents on the streets.”
“Their motorcycles are being stolen on a daily basis at gunpoint but the self-claimed boda-boda association is collecting money from them and each and every time they go silent,” he added.
Reacting to the matter, the speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba directed to specialized committee for Transport to follow up with the South Sudan Boda-Boda association.
“The committee on transport should follow up on this,” said the speaker.
Some Boda-Boda operators have accused the Boda-Boda Association in Juba of colluding with the police to arrest the motorbike drivers and force them to obtain membership ID cards.
The association states that motorbike drivers must pay a monthly subscription fee. However, bike riders complain of receiving little or no benefit in return for their membership.
Boda-boda riders are also required by law to wear fluorescent jackets, helmets, and carry logbooks with them at all times.