Traders demand speedy renovation of taxi park

Nyabugogo taxi operators and merchants trading in the park are demanding Nyarugenge District or the Commuters Taxi Association (ATRACO), to speed up the renovation of the park or else they find other options. Speaking to The Sunday Times, several operators said that the park’s terrible state is really affecting and letting their businesses down. “I no longer get anything from my business because of this horrible situation in this park, customers no longer want to come to this park because they feel disgusted by the state it’s in,” said John Hakizimana. “We have been paying rent for many years and we have made noise over the frequent flooding but we don’t know why those concerned are not taking care of this park,” Hakizimana added. Another trader who preferred anonymity said that when it rains he closes his shop for more than three days due to the floods. “When it rains, some of us close our shops until the park dries up,” he said. “We want to know if the district authorities have abandoned this park so that we prepare ourselves for somewhere else,” said Mary Uwamwiza, a shop retailer. According to the taxi operators, the floods and potholes have caused lots of damage to their vehicles.When contacted, Issa Ngeze, the vice president of ATRACO, said Nyabugogo is the responsibility of Nyarugenge District. “We only pay rent, the district has not yet authorized us to renovate it,” said Ngeze. However, Theophila Nyirahonora, the new Mayor of Nyarugenge, said ATRACO is responsible for the renovation of the taxi park. “We made a one-year agreement with ATRACO to renovate the park,” said Nyirahonora, adding that they are going to discuss the issue again with ATRACO to find a solution. She added that African Development Corporation (ADC) and SORAS, a local insurance company, had come up with a Rwf 2.5bn package to redevelop and give Nyabugogo bus terminal a new face but the two have failed to produce their detailed business master plan. Ends