LOCAL Government and Rural Development Minister Gary Nkombo has directed local authorities working with the Zambia Police, RTSA, bus drivers and taxi operators to ensure complete compliance with laws governing the country.

Speaking at a press briefing, Monday, Nkombo observed that Illegal taxi ranks and bus stations had continued to mushroom around the city and the country at large.

“My ministry has observed with utmost concern that public nuisance and complete abrogation of laws have taken root in our communities and the country at large. Some of the public nuisance that the government has observed include, illegal taxi ranks and bus stations have continued to mushroom around the city and the country at large. As a matter of concern, bus stops have now been turned into bus stations against the correct usage. It is a known fact that bus operators are now parking and loading along main roads in the central business district leaving designated bus stations. Traders selling building materials such as timber, gravel, sand and other wares along undesignated areas such as the Lusaka-Kafue, Great-North, Mumbwa, Alick Nkhata, Katima-Mulilo and Kamloops roads among other major roads,” said Nkombo.

“You may wish to know that this trend is not only a road hazard due to buyers parking their vehicles in the main road, but also to traders blocking drains and illegally blocking traffic when transacting with their clients. Bar owners operating near roads are a danger to the safe use of our roads as their clients obstruct traffic as they park along the same roads. The above cannot continue unabated, therefore I direct all local authorities working with relevant stakeholders such as the Zambia Police, RTSA, bus drivers and taxis’ operators to ensure complete compliance to the laws governing us.”