Gunjur, The Gambia | Opinion - The rising popularity of 'Jakarita,' the local term for motorcycle transportation in Gunjur, necessitates the establishment of safety regulations and standards.
Transportation plays a crucial role in our daily activities and is essential for local economic development. In some rural areas of The Gambia, the movement of people and goods present challenges. Not all transportation options are accessible to everyone, and costs can vary significantly among individuals. In Gunjur, for instance, some residents find the expense of hiring a taxi for town trips to be prohibitive. On the other hand, taxi drivers argue that factors such as fuel costs and travel distances, many of which they cannot control, justify their fares. The recent reopening of schools has exacerbated transportation difficulties, especially during peak times in the morning and afternoon, resulting in a severe shortage.
Gunjur, along with many rural communities, is experiencing the rise of a new transport industry with the increasing use of commercial motorcycle transport, also known as 'Jakarita.' This mode of transport is becoming popular as passengers find it readily available and convenient. However, this does not necessarily make it the cheapest or safest means of transportation, contrary to what some may claim. Many resort to this transport out of necessity, lacking other options. Although this article does not evaluate the reported crimes linked to this mode of transport, it did include an interview with a victim who was robbed and forced at knifepoint to surrender his belongings to a commercial motorcycle operator.
For motorcycle owners and operators, it serves as a significant source of income, supporting themselves and their families. Nevertheless, concerns about the safety of this means of transportation have been raised by community members and users in Gunjur. In addition to incidents of theft, motorcycle transport-related accidents are common, particularly during the wet season when poor road conditions often lead to serious injuries for both passengers and riders.
Key observations
Curiosity led me to conduct a survey on Wednesday, 23rd October, at a busy junction popular with local motorbike drivers to verify some claims. From 07:11 to 08:25 AM, I spent 1 hour and 14 minutes at the Gunjur Beach junction, counting 17 commercial motorcycle operators. In that time, I observed that 11 out of 17 were transporting women, some with infants and children; unfortunately, none of the passengers’ wore helmets. Typically, 12 of the 17 'Jakaritas,' as the motorcycle operators are known locally, had two passengers each regardless of the size or weight of the passenger. Additionally, 9 of the 17 commercial motorcyclists were seen riding without helmets. It's increasingly common to spot a woman with her baby or child on a 'Jakarita.' This mode of transport is affordable but risky and is frequently used by women and school children to get to their destinations. The safety of this transport is questionable, especially since passengers seldom wear helmets, exposing everyone to danger, regardless of age or gender. The risk level can differ, with women carrying babies and children being particularly at risk. It's imperative for users to be cautious and follow safety protocols, including helmet use
Key recommendation
The article strongly recommends that authorities and stakeholders, including the local police department, should always prioritize public safety. It is essential to regulate the burgeoning commercial motorcycle transport industry locally called ‘’Jakarita’’ to mitigate its associated risks. This can be achieved by providing adequate training on traffic rules, signs, and pedestrian crossings, as well as conducting public awareness campaigns on the use of safety gear, especially helmets. Additionally, setting maximum load limits per motorcycle, inspecting the motorbikes' condition and the operators' fitness, and limiting the number of passengers are crucial measures. Ensuring proper checks for insurance, licenses, and roadworthiness certificates is also vital.
Some limitations
The scope of this survey is limited, as it was conducted at only one of the many central hubs or garages for the 'Jakaritas.' The date of this survey coincided with the community nursing day, which saw many nursing mothers hurrying to the community health center, a factor that might influence the results.
The observation is narrowly focused as it only encompasses motorcycles, thereby failing to account for tricycles, which are three-wheeled motorbikes that provide similar services in the community.
The duration allocated for the research was limited, lasting only 1 hour and 14 minutes. It's possible that the results might differ if the observation were to continue for 3 hours or more.
By Buba K. Touray,
Programme Director- BE REEL Gambia
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