LINDA SOKO TEMBO writes
WHEELBARROW pushers in Lusaka’s Garden compound have appealed to relevant authorities to help them with capital so that they can expand their business.
In separate interviews with The Sun, one of the operators Peter Chongo, who owns 21 wheelbarrows for hire, said although business was promising there was need for people like him to be empowered.
Mr Chongo said wheelbarrow pushers’ business boomed especially in the mornings when marketeers wanted to ferry their products to various destinations.
“But it will be good if government can help us and buy for us wheelbarrows through loans so that we can boost our business because the potential is there.
“What we do is also a mode of transport we carry luggage and agriculture products for people in the community,” he said.
Meanwhile another wheelbarrow proprietor Patson Bwalya said he would be grateful if government came up with a uniform for them as a way of improving their business.
Mr Bwalya also said the relevant authority should help them come up with standard prices for ferrying goods because despite business being good, clients bargained for very low fees resulting in losses.
“Last time government told us that they would give us uniforms so that we have not run over by vehicles as we work. The only thing we got were reflectors but up to now we are still waiting for our uniforms,” he said.