Motorbike-taxi owners operating in Wau have voiced concerns over their inability to meet safety demands imposed by the Traffic Police to curb accidents.
A group of about 30 boda-boda riders Thursday morning converged at state transport union office in an attempt to process insurances.Some riders told Voice of Hope that their work could stop because the registration and insurance charges were more expensive than the motorbikes.
One returnee rider said his boda-boda was the only means to support his family.
Another added that boda-boda riders provided a critical service off road taking sick people to the hospital among other activities.
Transport Union chairperson, Hassan Awat Acuil, cautioned the traffic police to respect boda-boda riders.
He said he was exploring the possibility for riders to pay registration and insurance fees in instalments.
He said license and insurance fees in Wau ran between 800 and 1,000 pounds.
Western Bahr El-Ghazal Traffic Police Information Officer, Deng John Akot, said the charges in Wau were fair compared to other states.
Boda-boda riders gathered at White Nile Insurance Company to buy insurance licenses against accidents as required by the Police.
Branch Manager Anyar Akol Kuol explained that his company only insures the motorbike and the rider and excludes the passenger.
Almost 700 motor bikes are under custody because riders did not meet the Traffic Police requirements for safety.