Solwezi Council decongests bus station

JACKSON MAPAPAYI writes SOLWEZI Municipal Council has banned public service vehicles transporters from parking their buses overnight at the Solwezi Main Bus Station. The move, which is effective September 15, this year has been taken as a measure to decongest the facility amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. This came to light when Solwezi Mayor Nicholas Mukumbi held a meeting with bus operators at the weekend. Others who attended the meeting were North-western Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) Manager Misheck Lungu, Zambia Police District Inspector, Patson Chikwa, Director Housing and Social Services, Andrew Kalemba, and Director Public Health Wamunyima Mumbali. The Mayor said there was concerned at the increase inCOVID-19 cases and deaths in the district, emphasising the need to adhere to public health guidelines as a measure against further spread of the disease. Mr Mukumbi said the decision would minimise congestion at the bus station and eventually reduce the level of transmission of the Covid-19 due to the high population at the facility. He was quick to mention that bus operators are among key stakeholderswho could assist in minimising the spread of Covid-19 due to the high number of people they interact with. Mr Mukumbi noted the need for bus operators to strictly observe guidelines from as they ferry people from various destinations in order to save lives. He admitted that Solwezi had become a hive of activities emanating from its new title as the ‘New Copperbelt’ hence the need to make drastic decisions in order to safeguard the lives of people. He advised bus operators to invest in parking infrastructure where their buses could be parked overnight as opposed to parking at the station. And Mr Lungu echoed the same sentiments saying bus operators have a major role to play in reducing  the transmission curve of the pandemic. He implored operators to practise good customer service and ensure their buses were clean at all time, avoiding harassment of passengers and sticking to the departure time. The Sun