Douala City Council launches digital identification platform for bike riders.

The City Mayor was flanked at the launching by deputies, the presidents of motorbike riders trade unions as well as the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Africa Motor Project, Samuel Mvondo Mvondo. 

The identification project has been implemented in partnership with MTN Cameroon Mobile Money Corporation and the Ministry of Transport. It aims to restore order in the sector through technological regulation and modernisation means.

With the initiative, the Douala City Council has once more positioned itself as a key player in urban development in Cameroon by professionalising the bike riding sector, thus strengthening traceability and accountability. 

"We do not intend to extinct the job. We want to bring it back to normalcy, we want you to be more responsible by making this sector a profitable sector for all regularised riders, it is a win-win contract," explained Douala City Mayor.  

Dr Mbassa Ndine underlined the objective of guaranteeing safety for inhabitants. Aside registration, the platform will allow city dwellers to report inappropriate behaviour of drivers. Through the platform, recalcitrant riders could be banned from exercise within the city. 

The more than 600 bike riders who attended the launching, shared mixed concerns about the technological challenges ahead, while others welcomed the move as a step towards better regulation.

A bike rider, Samuel Mvondo Mvondo, reiterated his full support for the project. He, however, pleaded on the City Council officials to be mindful of their challenges.

"We support any initiative aimed at improving our profession. However, we hope that the City Council will take into account the challenges that some of our members may encounter in this transition process," he said. 

To facilitate the enrollment process, registration points have been set up in five of the six Subdivisions of the Wouri. Each registration point is supervised by the Mayors of the respective municipalities. For the Douala I Subdivision, registration is taking place at Akwa Banquet Hall, in Douala II, it is taking place at the Multipurpose Centre. Bikers in Douala III can register at the Council hall while in Douala VI, the Municipal Circle in Bonaberi is playing host to the registration and in Douala V registration is taking place at the council hall. 

Registered riders will receive an official vest, a distinct sign indicating they are legitimate operators. Also, the colours of the jackets are not identical but they will differ from one council area to another.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3169 of Monday July 15, 2024