Public transport operators and street vendors have welcomed plans to upgrade taxi ranks in Maseru and erect proper market places for vendors.
This after the Maseru City Council (MCC) announced a collaboration with local insurance company, Alliance Insurance, which will see the company sponsoring a project to give taxi ranks a facelift and providing street vendors with proper shelters to do business from.
The collaboration is envisaged to motivate street vendors to play an active role in maintaining cleanliness throughout the city.
Representatives of the public transport operators and street vendors hailed the prospective development as essential for their growth and have long requested the Maseru City Council to implement such initiatives.
The memorandum signed by MCC and Alliance this week underscored a mutual commitment to creating a cleaner and more vibrant urban environment, thereby promoting public involvement and support for local businesses.
The town clerk of Maseru, Moea Makhake, waxed lyrical about the new partnership, stating that MCC aims to work collaboratively with street vendors rather than displacing them.
“We want to ensure that our vendors are not only part of the business ecosystem, but also active participants in keeping our environment clean.
“We have the Lefielo programme, an initiative under which street vendors engage in cleaning efforts before opening their shops. Under this programme, participating vendors receive a monthly stipend of M3,000, which serves as an incentive to contribute to the city’s cleanliness.
“The Lefielo programme represents a promising opportunity for street vendors, many of whom rely on their daily earnings to support their families. This initiative is a win-win situation where vendors can earn a living while contributing to the public’s welfare,” Makhake said.
For his part, Lehana Setṧabi of Alliance Insurance reiterated the company’s commitment to the partnership, adding that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance public spaces in Maseru.
The two parties have agreed to a five-year partnership, under which Alliance Insurance will provide essential resources to aid MCC’s environmental efforts.
These include the donation of rubbish bins and two rubbish trucks valued at M3.4 million, aimed at improving waste management throughout the city.
Setṧabi outlined plans to construct business shelters for street vendors, and to ensure that these structures are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
“We want to provide our vendors with spaces that they can be proud of,” he noted, reinforcing the importance of creating a conducive environment for business.
The partnership will also address public amenities, including renovation of public toilets and enhancing taxi ranks, as well as maintaining parks and providing free Wi-Fi connectivity.
However, Setṧabi also highlighted the responsibilities that come with this partnership.
He stressed that MCC must ensure that the rubbish trucks are adequately staffed with drivers and workers in order to facilitate effective waste collection.
Additionally, he mentioned the necessity for regular maintenance of rubbish bins to prevent overflow and maintain hygiene standards.
“We need to work together to make sure that our efforts have a lasting impact. Regular meetings will be held between Alliance Insurance and MCC officials to monitor the partnership’s progress and address any challenges that may arise,” Setṧabi pointed out.
