Lusaka City Council and Parkrite Zambia have suspended revenue collection from Kulima Tower, Intercity Bus Terminal, New Soweto Market and Lusaka City Market following recent protests at Civic Centre by bus drivers, call boys and vendors.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Nation, Lusaka Town Clerk Alex Mwansa confirmed that revenue collection at the named bus stations would be suspended in view of a consultation meeting with stakeholders.
“We are only waiting to meet with other stakeholders on board so that we explain this parking system and how it will operate,” Mr Mwansa explained.
Mr Mwansa explained that the suspension of parking fees only applies to the named markets, as Parkrite would still collect fees for on-street parking in the central business district and Kamwala area.
Mr Mwansa further explained that the LCC and Parkrite had agreed on “four deliverables” in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two parties.
“The four deliverables include central business district, such as Cairo, Cha Cha Cha, Freedom Way, and Lumumba roads including Kamwala area, which is called on-street parking infrastructure, and also there is off-street parking slots such as Shoprite, Findeco, and Natsave, and also long term off-street parking, and [bus stations] Intercity Bus Terminal, Kamwala, Kulima Tower, City Market and Soweto Market,” said Mr Mwansa.
According to Mr Mwansa, the decision to suspend parking fee collection at the named markets was reached at a meeting co-chaired by Lusaka Mayor Wilson Kalumba and PF District Chairman Stafford Kayame.
Civic leaders agreed that the implementation of parking management system in Kulima Tower, City Market, New Soweto, and Intercity Bus Terminal could lead to security risks and public disorder such as the recent protest at Civic Centre on Wednesday.
The emergency meeting also agreed that the general public needed to be informed of the decisions made by the Council while also being protected from civil unrest.
Mr Mwansa further explained that the Council has no intention of removing vendors from the streets, and denied allegations that the city was planning to sell Kulima Tower bus station to a private investor.
“The bus drivers and vendors were being misled by the car park attendants who told them that they would be removed from the streets, so they got concerned and protested,” said Mr Kayame.
Mr Kayame urged the drivers and the vendors to continue doing their business normally and not to panic as the stakeholders were still making consultations.
However, Mr Kayame expressed concern over the high car park fees, saying the five kwacha per hour was too expensive.
[Daily Nation]
when PF (only stakeholder) complains they listen, When others complain, they are accused on not wanting development. Kafue people have complained over tolls but no ONE has listened.
Steve: You lie. The Toll Fees issue has been handled. Check with NRFA and get the full details on how the reduction is being handled. However, my concern is with the Council. There are holding meetings that should have been held before signing this contract. You dont leave stakeholders behind in such extremely sensitive matters. I deliberately spent about two hours at Intercity Bus Terminus last week just to observe and see how many Youths benefit from loading the buses. It was amazing. KBF is right. These Youths get a leaving from this bus station and they do so legally without harassing travelers (at least for the two hours I was there). Therefore someone can not just pass a law to interfere with their work without consulting them regardless of who they are in society. In any case the…
meant ” they are accused of not wanting development..”
Ctd. In any case the Council sits when there is a full quorum of Councillors. Do not tell me that these Councillors do not consult their communities when passing such sensitive laws. Even the Council Management should have been pro-active before taking such a report to Council. People are more aware of their rights and lets keep them informed. It is rain season but I have observed that no Council employee is clearing the drains. Every time the drains at Kafue, Post Office Robots, Levy Mall robots and Kabwe Roundabouts are always blocked but no one seems to care.
miya they have reduced to K10 pet single pass for the people, They never called them as key stakeholders instead they just reduced. This is still too high for one who drives to and from kafue everyday. But for the parking at kulima tower, they have suspended awaiting a stakeholder meeting. Sir, mark my words LCC will not implement this measure.
Earlier I was thinking DUNUNA REVERSE WAS just a song but NOW… I BELIEVE IT ALSO the MODUS OPERANDI of PF- Doing LAST THINGS FIRST and vice-versa! In NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE INTRODUCING CHANGE you ENGAGE WITH STAKEHOLDERS and then agree with them on HOW and WHEN CHANGE CAN BE INTRODUCED. Then STAKEHOLDERS HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PLAN FOR ADJUSTMENT before change takes effect! AT IMPLEMENTATION, NO PROTESTS ARE EXPECTED. For these guys, it the OTHER WAY ROUND!! Now as they engage with stakeholders, let THEM EXPLAIN HOW THEY ARRIVED AT AWARDING THE CONTRACT TO PARKRITE! WE WANT TO KNOW as DWELLERS OF LUSAKA and USERS of these bus Stations!!
The government must move in and implement the fees cadres have been collecting at the expense of the government and they just use the money to there personal gain. Please don’t back down and next should be the traffic police. The traffic police must also be stopped from collection of any money from the public and let an independent agency collect on behalf of the government and you see how much money these cops have been taking home. Let’s see if they will still use there prevent vehicles for the police traffic duties .Please collect as much revenue as possible and if the government implements good polices our country will develop for the benefit of all. Cadres are a pain in the neck. They think they own the president. Get a life please.
I feel giving leeway to cadres and do what they like at these ststions is another way of causing anarchy.The PF must create jobs for the cadres,not letting them interfere in council jutisdictions.they promised them so let them honer what they said.they should not let them to reap where they did not sow.Council needs each and every kwacha.The mayor was boasting of making council an enterprise, did he mean by promoting cadres to do business in bus stops and stations?Then if that’s the issue council is in the wrong hands.Another MMD part two.