Vendors, kombis desert eGodini

BULAWAYO Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, has noted with concern the desertion of Egodini Bus Terminus and Traders Market by informal traders saying this could result in contractual disputes with the contractor and failure to complete the upgrade project.

The city partnered Terracotta Private Limited in 2015 for the re-development of Egodini into a modern facility to accommodate informal traders and transport operators.

After repeated complaints over delays, Egodini Bus Terminus and traders market partially opened in February this year, eight years after its closure in 2016 for reconstruction, having missed several completion deadlines.

The partial opening of the facility attracted traders and transport operators who, however, have now deserted the site citing business viability challenges. Following its re-opening, Egodini accommodated 400 informal traders and transport operators plying mainly western suburbs routes.

Days leading to the re-opening of Egodini, the Bulawayo City Council issued a directive to kombi crews and vendors that it will heavily descend on those who were operating in undesignated areas resulting in compliance.

For a moment, the council’s directive seemed to be effective as more kombi crews started operating from Egodini with informal traders also using the revamped facility. But lately, both kombi crews and informal traders have abandoned the site, picking up passengers in undesignated places while vendors have also flooded the city’s streets.

A Chronicle news crew visited Egodini yesterday and observed that there was less traffic and some vending stalls had been neglected with a handful of players blaming the problem on the council’s failure to enforce compliance.

Bulawayo City Transit Transport Association rank manager, Mr Verengerai Samuel, said kombis are spending close to two hours queuing for passengers at Egodini, which has forced some of them to return to operating in undesignated places.

“I believe the city council is not doing enough to enforce the removal of illegal drop-off and pick-up points. We are taking almost two hours to load a single vehicle here, and there is no business,” he said.

“Some kombis are no longer ranking here and you can’t blame them for returning to the city centre where commuters are picked up in no time. After all, we pay to rank and pick up passengers here,” said Mr Samuel.

A vendor who declined to be named, said Egodini is no longer the same as it was in the past.

She said there is little traffic going to Egodini and their business demands thrive on having more people on site.

“This is like selling a cow and buying a dog. Many of us regret securing vending places here. There’s no business because no one is coming here for transport. People prefer to stay in the city centre where everything they need including transport is available.

“We rely on customers coming for transport, and without them, we can’t operate,” she said.

To address the ongoing chaos, Clr Coltart on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of the informal sector as well as cross border buses to try and resolve the existing problems.

In an interview yesterday, Clr Coltart conceded that the local authority was facing challenges in enforcing compliance with the city’s by-laws, which could affect the completion of Egodini.

“Phase 1A has been constructed at Egodini and vendors have moved in, but we are struggling with lawlessness, particularly on 6th Avenue. Commuter omnibuses are not using the designated pickup and drop-off points, which has led to vendors not getting business because there are no omnibuses at Egodini,” said Clr Coltart.

“This is jeopardising the entire Terracotta contract, which includes plans to move into Phase 1B of the Egodini development. The investment aims to expand the operational area and establish a cross-border and intercity terminus.

“The contractors are concerned that without enforcement of law and order, the entire investment could be jeopardised.”

Clr Coltart said while council is in the process of hiring additional municipality police, it is engaging police to assist it in enforcing the law.

He said residents should embrace the redevelopment of Egodini as it speaks to the futuristic town planning and maintenance of the city, which recognises the importance of informal players.

“The concept for Egodini includes fully roofed markets with clean surfaces, lockers, designated bays, good toilets, clean water, solar lighting, and ideally internet access. It is also strategically located near the commuter bus terminus to attract customers,” said Clr Coltart.

“Egodini is the first of its kind, and we plan to also expand to other areas around the city, such as the Highlanders Sports Club. We aim to rigorously enforce adherence to by-laws to formalise operations.”