Mokaila To Slash Transport Fares Vows To Stop Importation Of Fongkong Cars
Imi Mokgethi | Monday October 31, 2016 18:00
He however noted that the move to reduce fares might face resistance from road transport operators for fear of losing customers, stating that thorough consultation with all critical stakeholders will be made before taking the decision to avoid conflicts.
He also vowed to stop the importation of Asian cars in the country that he said are leading in environmental pollution.
Mokaila made the vow on Friday during his ministry’s two-day Transport Pitso that commenced on Thursday in Selebi-Phikwe, where he highlighted that these cars’ environmental impact outweighs that of mines, adding that the best way to save the environment would be to abolish their importation.
He further noted that he had long wanted to take the move during his tenure as the minister of the then Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism but failed, promising that this time around he is determined to successfully implement the decision. “When I made the suggestion about 10-years-ago to stop the importation of these vehicles in our country, I was accused of having been bribed by the motor dealer Satar Dada. This time around I promise to make the move, don’t say I did not warn you,” he said.
Mokaila further vowed to make significant changes in his new ministry, highlighting that his goal is to immensely improve the transportation standards in the country.
“Some of you are not going to like the changes I am going to make and I know that the move is going to earn me a number of enemies. But I am ready to make enemies as long as I do what I believe is important for our economy,” Mokaila warned.
Further, he implored the public transport service providers to ensure that they provide quality service, emphasising the importance of taking safety into consideration in their business.
The minister further expressed concern over the alarming road accident fatalities revealing that since January to October this year 357 lives have been lost.
“We really cannot afford to lose any more lives on roads and we have to change our current approach to this problem as the current one is not bearing any fruits. We therefore need to join hands as different critical stakeholders and come up with effective solutions,” he said. Meanwhile, Botswana Police Service Traffic Director Katlholo Mosimanegape pointed out that the affordability of cars in the country especially the imported seven-seater vehicles have worsened the situation of piracy that is currently a great concern for the public transport operators as well as the police.
He added that the cars also have a significant contribution to road accidents as their drivers over speed while running after passengers.
“We are currently on a campaign against these drivers through monitoring booze bus stops where these cars pick up passengers. As we are approaching the festive season, we also have different campaigns among them the Accident Free A1 Road campaign whose aim is to reduce the number of accidents on the road,” Mosimanegape said.
The 2016 Transport Pitso was held under the theme ‘Safe Transportation-Key To Unity and Prosperity’.