By Our Reporter
Bodaboda and bajaji operators have called on the government to address challenges facing the informal transport sector, particularly the shortage of designated parking areas, licensing requirements and access to public services.
The operators raised the concerns on Thursday during a visit to Mtumba Government City, where they toured government offices to understand how different ministries could help resolve issues affecting their businesses.
The visit came a day before President Samia Suluhu Hassan was scheduled to officially inaugurate the government complex on Friday, October 30.
The delegation, comprising bodaboda, bajaji and cargo tricycle operators, visited five government offices, including the ministries responsible for Water, Home Affairs, Youth and Transport, as well as the President's Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG).
Chairman of the Federation of Bodaboda, Guta and Bajaji Associations in Tanzania, Mr Saidi Kagomba, said the tour was aimed at familiarising operators with government institutions and identifying where to seek assistance when dealing with challenges in their daily activities.
"We considered it important to visit these offices before the inauguration so that we could receive detailed explanations from experts about their responsibilities and the services available to citizens," he said.
At PMO-RALG, the operators sought clarification on government plans to support the establishment and improvement of designated parking stations for bodaboda and bajaji.
Mr Kagomba said properly planned parking facilities would help improve the organisation of urban transport and address difficulties operators face when looking for designated areas to pick up and drop off passengers.
The delegation also wanted to understand transport regulations, particularly procedures and requirements for obtaining operating licences.
At the Ministry of Water, Mr Kagomba highlighted the importance of reliable water services, saying access to clean water was essential to operators and their families.
The operators also sought information on how the Ministry of Home Affairs and other public institutions could assist them when they encounter challenges requiring government intervention.
Speaking during the visit, Mr Fred Kaduma from the Prime Minister's Office, responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, said Mtumba Government City was developed to serve government institutions and the wider public.
He said the complex was not exclusively intended for government officials, but also housed institutions whose services citizens could access.
Mr Kaduma said the Prime Minister's Office was responsible for coordinating the development of the government city and encouraged members of the public to visit and understand the functions of the institutions based there.
Another official from the Prime Minister's Office, Mr Paul Frank Nyongo, briefed the delegation on the project's background, development and progress ahead of its inauguration.
The government city is part of efforts to consolidate public institutions in one location, with the aim of improving coordination and efficiency in public administration.
However, for citizens and groups such as bodaboda and bajaji operators, the value of the investment will ultimately be measured by whether having government offices in one location makes it easier to access services, resolve complaints and obtain timely responses to their concerns.