The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has stated that the government will implement a new licensing system for tricycle and motorbike riders in order to control their operations.
He clarified that the police agency would have the authority to make sure that motorcyclists and tricycle riders followed traffic laws under the new licensing system.
Mr. Nikpe added that under the new licensing system, riders of motorcycles and tricycles would be organized into unions to work with the police and would have access to a database of all motorcycles and tricycles.
Speaking to reporters during yesterday’s national stakeholder consultation on the reform of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 L.I. 2180 in Accra, the Minister made this statement.
Representatives from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Okada Riders Association, and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) participated in the stakeholder consultation, which was organized by the Ministry of Transportation.
Participants were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed change to the Road Traffic Regulation, 2012 L I. 2180, specifically the sections pertaining to the use of tricycles and motorbikes for nationally recognized fare-paying passenger services.
Some of the regulations’ features, according to Mr. Nikpe, would address rider training, required helmet use, and recurring inspections.
“Motorcycles and tricycles cannot be restricted to terminals or parking lots, but they will have places where you can identify that this is a motorcycle or tricycle terminal or slots that they can use on a daily basis,” Mr. Nikpe said.
Additionally, he stated that the DVLA would be in charge of registering and licensing motorcycles and tricycles rather than the private sector.
Mr. Nikpe stated that following stakeholder consultation, the proposed change would be presented to the Attorney General Department and the Legislation Committee subsidiary for drafting before being placed before Parliament for review.
He invited all pertinent parties in the transportation and road sectors to contribute as needed to the proposed modification, stating that the government’s first priority was the safety and welfare of riders and passengers.
Although questions have been raised regarding the efficacy of the proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Regulation 2012, L.I. 2180, to regularize motorcycle and tricycle operations, Mr. Kwame Koduah Atuahene, Director of Regulations, Inspection, and Compliance, NRSA, stated that Ghana could learn from other nations where its implementation has been successful.
Mr. Hamza Hafiz, the National President of the National Union of Tricycle Operators of Ghana, praised the government’s decision to regulate the tricycle and motorbike industries.
Additionally, he recommended that commercial motorcycle riders be identified by a certain color or number plate in order to differentiate them from private operators.
Mr. Hafiz gave the Union his word that the Union would work with the government to make sure the proper policies were implemented, such as providing riders with full insurance and designated parking spaces.
Source: newsthemegh.com