GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Transport and Logistics has said that it has no intentions to stifle youth innovations of the growtthe h of small and medium business.
This came up as a response to a question by the Member of Parliament for Kantanshi Parliamentary Constituency Honourable Anthony Mumba
Hon. MUMBA wanted to know whether the Government is aware that compelling online car-hailing services to register with Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) is stiffing youth innovation and hindering the growth of small and medium businesses and if so, what measures are being taken to ensure that online car-hailing services are not adversely affected by the registration process; and what measures are being taken to enhance electronic communication technology innovations in the transport sector.
In response, Hon. Tayali said Government’s interest is to ensure that the online car-hailing services operate under a well-defined regulatory framework which is backed by law.
He said the existing regulatory framework was designed for conventional taxi operations and not online ride-hailing operations.
The Minister said applying such a regulatory framework to online car-hailing operations has proved a challenge as most of the vehicles registered on the Online Applications may fall off if the law is to be applied strictly.
Further, Hon. Tayali said Government is undertaking all the necessary consultations with all relevant stakeholders and is in the process of issuing tailor-made regulations to accommodate the operations of online car-hailing operators in Zambia while at the same time ensuring that appropriate taxes are paid to the Government.
He said Government will issue Statutory Instruments (SI) that will address these matters. The Minister also noted that Government will not put a deadline to the consultative process in order to do it right, but will, therefore, allow online car-hailing services to continue operating under the status quo until the regulations are issued.
Hon. Tayali also said Government is cognizant of the role that technologies play in facilitating business development and growth. He said Government has and will continue to put in place policies and legislation that embrace the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the transport and logistics sector.
The Minister added that Government is in the process of revising the ICT Policy of 2006 and developing the Digital Transformation Strategy and the National Logistics Strategy which imbed the use of ICTs in service delivery.
This happened everywhere, in Europe they are still changing the law every now and then. On top of safety and revenue collection, you also have to consider the traditional taxis. How are they going to cope with this new development. But you have PF who do not like laws. They just want to operate. That’s why they had a blank check and where dishing out money to anyone, even to already rich musicians. Hoping a miracle will come. You have to plan and modify if need be.
That’s the way to go because this has created employment for us in this industry
It is important as the minister has said to create a framework for them. There are a lot of issues associated with online cars including safety of both customers and drivers. They also need to pay taxes like anyone else. For me government should now allow a foreign company to operate. This is simple tech that can be done locally. Tanzania has BOLT and it is working well.
Allow or not allow foreign companies?
What is online car-hailing services? Is it taxi? Poor journalism
Uber. The journalists need to explain
There are thousands of unregistered taxis in Zambia, especially Lusaka. Every street corner has a number of unregistered taxis parked on the roadside waiting for customers. Not sure why all these have been ignored and targeting only those using online technology
Because cops are in that business of pirate taxis as well