USE MOTO FOR MOBILITY, NOT TO KILL – NRSA BOSS WARNS AS UBER LAUNCHES MOTO IN GHANA

USE MOTO FOR MOBILITY, NOT TO KILL – NRSA BOSS WARNS AS UBER LAUNCHES MOTO IN GHANA

Story by Fada Amakye

The Director General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has cautioned riders and drivers to use motorbikes for mobility and not to cause road crashes and deaths.

He was speaking at the launch of Uber Moto in Accra.

The event also marked a decade of Uber operating in Ghana.

The idea behind Uber Moto is not only to provide low-cost transport for Ghanaians, but also to provide jobs for people who are unable to secure employment, in line with government’s plans to boost employment.

Uber said safety is at the core of its mission, and Moto is no different. It said building a responsible mobility ecosystem requires collaboration, and that is why it has been collaborating with the NRSA over the last few months.

Mr. Amaliba said the occasion was meant to sensitise riders on the proper use of the motorbikes.

“These motorbikes are not intended to kill people. They are not intended to be used to involve in a road crash, they are intended for mobility,” he said.

He said riders must wear the right helmet, not just any helmet. He said some helmets are more of death traps than life savers, and cannot protect riders.

He urged riders to have two helmets – one for themselves and one for the passenger – and to also wear reflectors.

He said the motorbikes have come at a time when transportation needs to improve, especially when people close from work and rush for buses.

He said Moto will help with the first mile and the last mile – how to get from home to the lorry station, and from the station to the office after getting down from a trotro.

“Let’s use the motorbikes for what it is intended for. Let’s minimise road crashes. Let’s minimise deaths on our roads, and let’s ensure that by the use of these motorbikes, we’ll have a safe travel,” he said.