KAYONZA - Local authorities yesterday unveiled a  new taxi park in Kayonza. The new facility valued at more than Rwf 370 million was unveiled by a selected group of officials, from the Eastern province headquarters in Rwamagana yesterday. The taxi park was built by the Association of Taxi operators and drivers (ATRACO).

The leaders later toured the park’s various facilities including its toilets, restaurants and the bus bay. The inspectors praised the construction standards of the park.

Anasthase Barinda the Vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs said that though they expect to get financial profits from the taxi park, the main objective was to develop the basic infrastructure.

"Our objective was not purely commercial, we want to offer people services. However, we shall also enjoy the revenues accruing from it,” he told the inspectors.

Samuel Kiwanuka the Executive Secretary of the district added that an arrangement has been reached in which ATRACO would give the district 20% of the total revenues collected from the taxi park.

"The park management charges every taxi that enters Rwf 2500, 20% of which goes to the district account. We are however, yet to work out proper modalities of transparency in the procedures,” he said.

Jean Marie one of the inspectors in charge of district’s development projects in the province, said that the facility should be kept clean, so as to serve the interest of the people. He said that Kayonza district now has the best rural taxi park in the country, which local leaders should be proud of.

"Take it upon you that you are privileged to have this modern taxi park. However, its services should be in the interest of the people…,” he said.

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