Bodaboda operators in Arusha City have received Sh20 million with which to establish their own co-operative union, courtesy of a grant from President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Arusha Urban Member of Parliament, Mr Mrisho Gambo. The grant was handed over to the city bodabodas by national chairman of the ruling party’s youth organisation, UVCCM, Mr Mohammed Kawaida, on behalf of the President and their area MP recently. The hand-over of the grant took place during a meeting that was held to conduct training on cooperative union management that targeted Arusha Region’s bodaboda operators. The UVCCM chairman also presented to city’s bodaboda fraternity two motorcycles that should go a long way in facilitating the day-to-day operations of their union. The UVCCM chief urged the bodaboda drivers to use their union for the benefit of the nation as a whole and avoid intrigues of politicians. “Be wary of politicians whose intrigues could mess up your union in one way or another, like inciting mis trust against your officials,” counselled Mr Kawaida. At the same time, MP Gambo called on the city’s bodaboda operators not to get involved in any criminal activities such as theft. “Help the police by providing them with information on the few bad individuals amongst you whose misconduct ruins your otherwise good image,” said Mr Gambo who maintained that operating motorcycle taxi was a job like any other. For his part, Assistant Registrar—Mobilisation, from the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission, Mr Ibrahim Kadudu, emphasised that cooperative unions ensure unity amongst the people and are a useful weapon in the fight against poverty. “By establishing your own cooperative union, you will have created a tool which will help you to improve your livelihoods,” said Mr Kadudu. The conference whose motto was “safe rides with Bodaboda,” was also the occasion to launch a digital system to be used in the management and coordination of bodaboda operations in Arusha City
CITY ‘BODABODAS’ TO FORM CO-OP UNION
