A GROUP of taxi owners has pooled resources to rehabilitate street-lights at their pick-up point in Bulawayo’s central business district in a move aimed at protecting commuters from muggings.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
The taxi owners, operating under the umbrella term Express Private Car Commuter Services (Expriccos), have also employed a permanent worker to clean the pick-up bay along George Silundika Avenue.
Expriccos chairperson, Mpikelelo Khumalo said the initiative was part of their community social responsibility programme, adding six street lights have already been rehabilitated.
“We decided to fix the streetlights after realising that some of our clients are being mugged and robbed because of darkness as a result of the malfunctioning lights. Our association has wholly-funded this project and on November 22, we will be officially handing over the lights to council.
“We have also invited various stakeholders who include the Ministry of Transport officials, the police and National University of Science and Technology (Nust) officials,” Khumalo said.
He said the association members ferry close to 7 000 commuters every day, the majority of whom are Nust students.
“All we are trying to do is to plough back into the community for supporting our businesses. We are also trying to spruce up the private transport sector which has been battered by unprofessional approach to business” Khumalo said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Nust Student Representative Council president, Terrance Shoko hailed the organisation for prioritising the safety of its clients.
“We applaud what Expriccos has done because before this intervention, the area had become a haven for muggers and robbers. NUST students were the most affected because they constitute about 60 % of the commuters,” Shoko said.
Expriccos has 20 members and was formed in 2009 following council’s resolution to convert the area into a parking bay.
