Africa-Press – Lesotho. The National Assembly has carried the motion advocating for the prioritization of the Basotho nationals’ exclusive transport industry, on Monday at the parliament.
Dubbed, “unleashing economic growth potential of transport industry,” the motion will see harmonized road transport providing for equal treatment, non-discrimination, reciprocity and fair competition, harmonized operating
conditions and promoting the establishment of an integrated transport system. The mover of this motion, Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. ‘Matlhohonolofatso Tšepang
Tšita Mosena, says this move will awaken the Lesotho’s economy. The motion is inspired by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), prioritizing Protocol on Transport,
Communication and Meteorology. Tšita-Mosena who is also the Deputy Leader (DL) for the Movement for Economic Change (MEC), argues that Lesotho being an enclave of its immediate neighbour South Africa (SA)
, SA becomes Basotho’s nearest destination of choice thus implementation of
this proposal is bound to awaken the transport economy – which is exclusively in the hands of Basotho. She also talked of the problems surrounding permit issuance in the country, for
cross border transit arguing that public transport areas, commonly referred to as setopong, where pedestrians board public transport, should be in Lesotho for
the Basotho going to SA as opposed to being on the South African side of the border. She further pointed out that other SADC countries are practicing transit across
SADC countries, but said Lesotho is an exception to this practice as the bus stops are in SA. The government will move with speed to implement the said motion.
There is recently an ongoing disagreement over the cross border transit of passengers between the Lesotho public transport operators and their South African
counterparts. This has seen the border being closed in Lesotho side and the Ministers of Transport, for both countries deliberating over this issue, which
after some time rears its ugly head. Tšita-Mosena also highlighted that even Basotho who are using private transport suffer mistreatment at the hands of the SA police, by being subjected to searches and
road blocks by what she said are “syndicates. ” It was seconded by MP Hon. Limpho Tau, saying that the transport industry is one of the main contributors to the economy.
Also the leader of the Democratic Party of Lesotho (DPL) Tau further urged the government to “create an enabling environment. ” Tau said the transport industry should be integrated into the economy.
The MP for Alliance of Democrats (AD) Hon. Mokhele Moletsane said this is a “burning issue” adding that the parliament should seriously work it. Meanwhile,
the other motion which was to be tabled today in the august house which seek the government to review the laws which will have former and current MPS issued
life-long diplomatic passports was withdraw by its mover, MP Hon. Thuso Litjobo of the Alliance of Democrats. On other developments that happened in the legislative house was when the MP for Stadium Area No. 31 Hon. Mokherane Tsatsanyane defected from the All Basotho Convention (ABC) and crossed over to his new political home AD.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
