Editor, RE: "We must embrace what is in our best interest” (The New Times, November 26).

All modern cities all over the world have by-laws that prohibit "akajagari” (chaos); I do not believe that the authorities of our city are wrong in imposing a ban on hanging goods on the veranda.

In some cities, residents are not even allowed to dry their clothes in the front yard, while in other cities, you cannot build a fence that is above a certain height. In others, you would even be fined if you cut a tree in your own front yard.

In our case, however, I think the ban should apply to the city centre only. Places like Nyamirambo should be exempt for now. There are other ways of advertising your products and our business people should learn the modern ways of doing it. The chaos you see in some Asian cities should have been avoided if the authorities there had taken similar decisions the City of Kigali is taking now.

Kigali should not allow itself to slide into the same situation. If you allow thousands of tiny problems to proliferate, you won’t be able to reverse them in the future once you realise you have a huge problem. I believe the City of Kigali is doing a commendable job.

If I was the Mayor, my next target would be motorcycle taxis because I believe, first of all, in saving lives and, secondly, eliminating "akajagari”. However, it would be different from what they attempted last time. I would aim at phasing out motorcycle taxis over a period of five years. I would do this by imposing a ban on issuing new motorcycle taxis licenses a year from my announcement. I would also invite those affected to take technical courses in our technical vocation institutes that will enable them to get alternative occupations.

If we don’t start thinking of phasing out motorcycle taxis now, Kigali will not only become another chaotic city but will also have a significant number of deaths or disabilities caused by motorcycle accidents like it is happening in some Southeast Asian countries.

The City of Kigali should avoid becoming another chaotic city jungle at all costs.

Seth