Public transport drivers in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, on Monday, 30 October, observed “taxi-free day” to protest against the recent increase of fuel prices.
The drivers complained that the fuel price hike had made it difficult to operate for them as customers refuse to pay the new taxi fares that have been adjust upwards after the increase in prices at the pump.
No public transport vehicles or motorbikes could be seen at several stations including at Cimpunda ONL Gendarmerie, Carrefour, Place de l’Independence, Nyawera, Nguba up to the border.
“We refuse to work to denounce the rise in fuel prices. The price is expensive. It has gone from 3,500 to more than 5,000 FC. We charge 1,500 FC per taxi but people refuse. We are working at a loss,” said a taxi driver in the city of Bukavu.
The organizers of the strike Simama Grands and the urban civil society of Bukavu indicated that the situation with the increased prices does affects greatly the residents’ livelihoods.
“We initiated this citizen action to call on the authorities to review the price of fuel which is today at the pump at 4000 FC, an increase of more than 500 FC. For us, we think that this is too much. We ask that fuel be reduced up to 2500 FC or 3000 FC. We ask the Ministry of the Economy to adapt the situation to realities,” said Samuel Matabaro, member of the federation of citizen movements Simama Grands Lacs.
The organizers of the strike action also thanked the Bukavu population for backing the drivers’ action and promised to better their service delivery once a solution is not found.
