Lima Tower cries for more space

NOEL IYOMBWA writes

KULIMA Tower bus station manager Collins Mulenga has appealed to authorities to help secure space belonging to National Housing Authorities near the station to create more space in the bus station.

Speaking when a Parliamentary Committee on Local Governance, Housing and Chiefs Affairs visited the station, Mr Mulenga said there was not enough space forcing some buses to park outside along Freedom Way while waiting to load.

He said the available space near the station belong to National Housing Authority, but that Lusaka City Council had tried to negotiate with the National Housing Authority but nothing fruitfully had come out of the engagement.

“We have challenges with space in this station. There is an alternative space but the space belongs to National Housing Authority. We have tried to negotiate with them but nothing has happened. So you can help us to acquire this space. This will reduce congestion in the station,” Mr Mulenga said.

He said the station operated independently without any interference from any political cadres.

“The issue of cadres does not exist. We operate effectively with the drivers and the levy we charge goes straight to Lusaka City Council.

And speaking at the same meeting, Bus and Taxi drivers Association of Zambia president Tresford Mwila said village banking had helped many bus drivers in terms of buying their own buses and starting other businesses.

Mr Mwila said the Chilimba Micro Finance Scheme is totally different from the levy the council collected from the bus drivers.

He said bus owners remitted NAPSA contributions while the Chilimba scheme helped drivers to save for the future.