From Comfort Zone to Zone X

From Comfort Zone to Zone X

During the past two years, I have been constantly challenged to leave my comfort zone and make a difference wherever I am. One of the most profound statements that I have read is that ‘Every problem is an opportunity to make a difference.’ Ideally, one would immediately blame or identify the cause of a problem and seek recompense from the guilty or liable party. However, in this case, we are challenged to not only correctly identify the problem (the easier part), but to also be part of those who resolve the problem created – and to ensure that it does not arise again. (the harder part)

Interestingly, resolving a problem might also create other problems. That is why I emphasise that it is important to correctly identify the problem before we seek to propose or implement solutions. Even when a problem is correctly identified, that does not mean that no other problem will arise as a result. Take for example the fact that boda boda (bajaj bikes) are viewed on the one hand, as a nuisance in town but on the other hand, as a necessary evil. It is true that the majority of these riders do not respect traffic rules and in many cases have no licenses to riding the bikes. There is a lot of money spent by the Government in treating the high number of boda boda accident victims, not to mention the loss of life as a result of the recklessness caused by the riders.

The seemingly easier solution to this would be to stop them from being used in certain areas of the city or even to prosecute the errant riders. However, high unemployment rates and the challenges in our criminal justice system might not help produce the result one would need. In any case, the riders are often not the owners of the bikes. In cases where they do own the bikes, they do not have any other ways of survival, having sold off their land or having borrowed heavily (if they are not servicing loans) to own these bikes. It is also true that these bikes are very critical in the transportation sector because of their ability to access hard to reach areas especially due to the conditions of our roads. Many people use them as cheap alternatives for transporting their children to and from school, carrying all types of equipment and delivering messages. The mere removal of boda boda riders from the streets would therefore create more problems than those it seeks to address.

The above means that we need a more durable solution that not only addresses poverty and unemployment which drive many into riding these bikes but also provides better transportation alternatives for the high number of users of the bikes. In resolving problems therefor, it is important to think holistically and carefully before suggesting piecemeal solutions that often create more challenges than they have resolved. Does this mean we should sit back and do nothing after all our interventions might not be helpful? Certainly not. What seems to be clear is that a lot more thinking, planning and proper  articulation of the problem and solution should be done before one seeks to make an intervention – and even after we have done so, we need to ensure that our solution is a lasting solution - Zone X. That however will be a subject of another blog.

Happy planning.