KIGALI - Traffic police last week seized 36 vehicles belonging to International Express as the row over unlicensed operating vehicles deepens between Atraco, a commuter transport organisation, and utility regulatory agency, RURA.

International Express is a subsidiary of Atraco but the regulator, RURA has refused to grant the former an operational license.

According to Atraco management, RURA refused to give International Express a license because the latter was started as an association by senior administrators of Atraco which operates the same business.

The traffic police first impounded 10 vehicles last month following complaints by RURA that the vehicles were operating illegally.

When contacted over the weekend, police spokesperson Eric Kayiranga confirmed the development.

"They are trying to operate illegally which cannot be permitted,” Kayiranga explained in a telephone interview.

According to International Express director, Conrat Rutateka, the agency loses over Rwf 3 million daily and the banks are pressurizing them to service the loans they acquired to purchase the vehicles.

The agency has to pay Rwf 11million every month to service the loans acquired from Fina Bank and Access Bank. According to Atraco vice president, Issa Ngeze, the loans have to be paid off within a period of three years.

Rutateka said International express officials were still negotiating with RURA to resolve the matter but added the option to petition courts of law was still open in case efforts to reach an amicable solution do not go through.

When The New Times contacted Ludovic Twahirwa Dodo, the president of Atraco, he said he could not comment on the matter.

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