The Congolese government began implementing a stop this week banning motorcycle taxis. Officially, this is a decision to fight accidents and aims to limit contact during this period of the fight against Covid-19. However, the measure does not pass among drivers and civil society.
as reported from Brazzaville, Loïcia Martial
A taxi-motorcycle driver, safety helmet screwed on his head, with one or two passengers behind his back, strolling between cars, this image has almost disappeared on the main arteries of Brazzaville, as in remote neighborhoods and inaccessible.
The ban on motorcycle taxis from driving is hardly appreciated by Jules Ondélé, chairman of the Congolese Motorcycle Drivers’ Collective. “We are parked by the house. We do not have the opportunity to take care of our families or pay the rent, he complains. We ask the Ministry of Transport to give us a new stop that allows us to resume our work because motorcycle taxi is available [au Congo ndlr] since 2007. “
2000 drivers concerned
The drivers are supported by civil society, which calls on the authorities to simply organize the area, rather than suppressing an activity involving unemployed academics, former gang members and leaders and many others. Works.
“We urge civil society to introduce reliable rules so that those in the motorcycle taxi industry can have a good reputation with the law. We do not want there to be anarchy in Congo, “suggested Joe Washington Ebina, a civil society actor. At least 2,000 drivers across the country are affected by government action.
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