The new system of wearing helmets fitted with the new gargets called ‘smart cover head’ for hygiene has kick started. being used by the passengers who normally use Moto-taxis as means of transport. One cover will be used by one passenger and then be disposed off.
However most of the motor-taxi operators have not welcomed the move saying it’s costly and that it will lead to hazardous waste.
Jonas Bikorimana who operates in the zone of Remera noted, “They told us that it is good for health but according to me there was no proper study before they introduced the system because we are not allowed to carry any bag with us. How shall we keep them and how will they be disposed?
“ It’s the government program and we can’t work against it but as they introduced the system they should quickly introduce other means on how to keep them and how to dispose them off after the usage,” He added.
One motorist only known as Kofi who parks at the Gishushu, Nyarutarama road junction pointed out that: “The system is not clear though they are saying its health. How can you introduce them and fail to introduce bins where the used covers are to be thrown.
“The people in charge should work upon it very fast otherwise it is going to cause much waste since they will be littered everywhere.” He noted.
One passenger who was found by our reporter throwing the garget on the road side noted: “I can’t keep it in my bag and I have nowhere to dispose it, so I had to throw it here.”
A pact of these gargets is now costing Frw 1,250 and contains 25 covers.The Moto-taxi men decry the cost saying that the price is high as compared to the transport fares depending on the distance. They say they will increase the transport to cover the cost of these gargets.
One Habumukiza working in the zone of Nyabugogo said,“We have nothing to do other than increasing on the transport fares. Now I have a Velo moteur (Mini motorcycle) and if I take a passenger at Frw 150 and I deduct either frw 50 or 100 for the garget, then what will I earn?
“That means that we shall be working in losses.” He lamented.
When contacted Dieudonne Nteziyaremye, the president of FERWACOTAM (Rwanda Federation of Taxi Moto cooperatives) said that the association has sent a letter to the RURA asking them to get involved efforts to increase on the transport costs because of the issue.
He also talked on the issue disposing these covers saying that they are working upon bringing recycling bins where the used gargets can be recycled.
The Managing Director of East African Cleanliness and Health Company, Anastase Balinda said that his company has so far shipped in four containers containing 1, 400, 000 gargets each from China.
They are now available at some taxi-Moto points around Kigali city and will be soon distributed country wide.
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