At Remera Taxi Park A bevy of activity

On disembarking from a Remera bound taxi, the congestion tells a lot on how busy the place is. Right at the entrance of Remera Taxi Park, women sit by the roadside selling fruit. It’s amazing how the Park has transformed more into a market or a center for second hand clothes. During the evening, workers pass by the park to buy shoes or tops and trousers. The taxis in the park compete with the little shops and people for space. This is more so at the exit where you’ll find crowds milling around the vendors to buy stuff they would otherwise not get at such good rates in town. “I always buy my tops in Remera not exceeding 1000 francs each,” says Dativa Manzi. She says that though hawking is illegal, the Remera hawkers have helped a great deal in dressing the young generation. This is because their clothes are sold at pocket friendly prices. I caught a glimpse of skirts on display and the seller was calling out customers saying they only cost Rwf 700. When I approached, Musafiri Kamana assured me that the prices were negotiable. He reduces the price to Rwf 500 depending on the quantity the customer wants. Going to Remera Taxi Park, one is rest assured of leaving with a dress since all price ranges are there. “It depends on one’s pockets. We offer clothes at as much as Rwf 10,000 to as low as Rwf 500,”says Kamana pointing at shops in a distance. The wooden shops have fine clothes paraded on hangers; some have hand bags for the women while others have deodorants and shoes. Though advantageous, the ongoing businesses have favored more illicit activities. Mobile phone theft has become rampant in Remera. As many set out to work, the thieves too set off to Remera to take advantage of the big crowds. “It’s also disorderly seeing a taxi park turned into a market,” says Cloude Muremyi, a taxi driver. He however credits the businesses for simplifying shopping and besides, the participants have trading licenses hence boosting tax payment. “This is a strategically positioned area and doing business here has helped us sustain our families,” says Kamana who earns more than Rwf 10,000 on a good day. That’s Remera Taxi Park for you. Ends