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    Urban Transport Crisis & Public Safety Emergency in Garowe, Puntland, Proposed

    Jibril Qoobey.By No Comments4 Mins Read

    By:Warsame Digital Media (WDM) – Policy Analysis Unit

    1. Executive Summary

    This brief addresses the critical public safety and urban management crisis in Garowe caused by the unregulated proliferation of auto-rickshaws (Bajaj). The current situation poses an immediate threat to citizen safety, hinders economic activity, and signifies a major failure in transport governance. The root causes are identified as: uncontrolled importation of vehicles, lack of regulatory enforcement, and absence of formal public transport alternatives. This brief recommends a five-point policy intervention strategy, beginning with an immediate moratorium on Bajaj imports, to restore order, safety, and sustainable urban mobility in Garowe.

    1. Background and Problem Statement

    Garowe, the administrative capital of Puntland, is experiencing an acute crisis driven by an oversaturation of Bajaj three-wheelers. The unchecked importation of these vehicles has led to:

    · A Public Safety Emergency: A dramatic rise in traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities involving untrained, uninsured, and often underage drivers.

    Severe Urban Congestion: Critical arteries and market roads are paralyzed, impeding commerce and emergency services.

    Social and Environmental Degradation: Excessive noise and air pollution diminish quality of life, while the exploitation of unemployed youth fosters social tension.

    Governmental Authority Erosion: The consistent lack of enforcement has normalized lawlessness and eroded public trust in institutions.

    This is not merely a traffic issue but a multifaceted policy failure requiring urgent and coordinated intervention.

    1. Key Findings and Analysis

    Root Cause 1: Unregulated Import: The continuous flow of new Bajaj imports is the primary driver of market oversaturation, making the problem exponentially worse.

    Root Cause 2: Regulatory Vacuum: The absence of licensing, insurance, and traffic enforcement has created a perilous “wild west” environment on the roads.

    Root Cause 3: Economic Desperation: High youth unemployment has created a cheap labor force for Bajaj operators, who prioritize small profit over public safety.

    Root Cause 4: Lack of Alternatives: Citizens are forced to use Bajajs due to the non-existence of a safe, reliable, and formal public transport system.

    1. Policy Recommendations

    We urge the Puntland Administration to adopt the following coordinated policy measures:

    1. Impose a Moratorium on Bajaj Imports
      · Implementing Body: Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance

    Key Objectives: Immediately halt the influx of new vehicles to stabilize the situation and allow for effective management of the existing fleet.

    1. Implement a Mandatory Licensing & Registration Framework.

    Implementing Body: Ministry of Transport, Traffic Police

    · Key Objectives:

     · Mandate driver’s licenses (minimum age 18)
 · Register all commercial Bajajs
 · Require mandatory third-party insurance
 · Enforce regular vehicle safety inspections
    1. Launch a Targeted Traffic Enforcement Campaign Implementing Body: Garowe Traffic Police Department Key Objectives: Rigorously enforce traffic laws, penalizing infractions like reckless driving, overloading, and operating without a license or insurance.
    2. Establish a City-Wide Operating Permit Cap
      · Implementing Body: Garowe Municipal Council, Ministry of Public Works. Key Objectives: Limit the total number of Bajajs allowed to operate commercially based on a study of the city’s carrying capacity. The import moratorium (Action 1) is a prerequisite for this.
    3. Initiate a Feasibility Study for a Public Bus System

    Implementing Body: Ministry of Public Works, Planning Ministry

    Key Objectives: Commission a study to design a safe, regulated, and reliable public bus network to provide a long-term alternative and create formal employment.

    1. Expected Outcomes and Benefits

    · Enhanced Public Safety: A drastic reduction in accidents and fatalities through regulated drivers and insured vehicles.

    · Improved Urban Mobility: Reduced congestion and more orderly traffic flow.

    · Economic Formalization: Creation of a structured, accountable transport sector that contributes to the formal economy.

    · Increased Government Revenue: Generation of income through licensing, registration, insurance, and permit fees.

    · Restored Public Trust: Demonstrating effective governance and a commitment to citizen welfare.

    1. Conclusion

    The Bajaj crisis is a solvable policy challenge. Continued inaction will result in further loss of life, economic damage, and social disorder. The recommended actions are sequential and interdependent. An immediate moratorium on imports is the critical first step to preventing the problem from worsening, while the other measures work to bring the existing situation under control and provide a sustainable future for Garowe’s transport system. We urge the relevant authorities to act with urgency to implement this strategy.

    ———

    Contact: Warsame Digital Media(WDM) Garowe,Puntland. ismailwarsame@gmail.com, +252 90 703 4081.

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