A recent official announcement revealed that there has been a significant change in the cooperative leadership of public transport motorcycle riders in Kigali. As a result, the number of cooperatives has reduced significantly from 41 to only five. According to the Rwanda National Police, the cooperatives are expected to foster collaboration among their members, enhance overall performance, and facilitate smoother communication channels. ALSO READ: Changes in taxi moto operations: Here are 5 things to know Speaking to The New Times, Francois Sabayesu, a motorcyclist based in Gasabo District, expressed his anticipation for changes, noting that under the previous leadership, there was a lack of clear purpose and vision, which significantly impacted their community and often found themselves burdened with unnecessary contributions. “Going forward, we hope to see them setting the agenda, correcting past mistakes, and fostering an increase in teamwork spirit,” he said, adding “We are anticipating exchanging ideas with them to enhance our professionalism, explore additional career opportunities, and pursue various other improvements.” ALSO READ: Five unanswered questions as RURA re-introduces taxi moto meters Shadrack Ntamahungiro, a taxi-moto rider based in Nyarugenge, highlighted the consistent losses they've experienced over the past few years due to various contributions to the cooperative. He also noted that there have been frequent malfunctions within the cooperative, often leaving them without a proper channel to address their concerns. Ntamahungiro emphasised that moving forward, they expect more substantial changes. They argued that this time, their leaders were not simply nominated; instead, they actively participated in the voting process within their respective sectors. “We voted for them, and we placed our trust in them. We hope to witness improvements in this sector with their assistance in the future,” he added. Pascal Muhizi, one of the newly elected presidents of the cooperatives, told The New Times that significant changes are on the horizon. He highlighted notable transformations, including revisions to the various fees that cooperative members used to pay and the restructuring of cooperative operations. “Now, each cooperative has managers to oversee its activities, marking a crucial shift in the way they are managed,” he said. ALSO READ: Motorcyclists ordered to have headlights on all day Muhizi added that moving forward, they can assure their fellow riders of collaboration in all aspects, as well as ensuring shared profits for everyone in this profession. They are also dedicated to resolving any issues that may hinder their collective efforts. “There are currently no issues, and certain changes have been implemented. The riders will now be able to enrol and join the cooperative without having to pay any fees or other contributions that they used to be required to pay. This change is based on the argument that all necessary staff members now receive their salaries from our regulators. Additionally, they have received new uniforms among other changes,” he said The taxi-moto sector has faced numerous issues that have impacted the industry. These issues include insurance fees, the adoption of smart metres, and disputes within cooperatives, among others.
