What if we let the two wheels get back to work?
For every disease, except a few, there must be a cure. In Burundi, the lack of fuel, whether oil or gasoline, has become a disease. And the first doctor to treat her is the government, of course with the means at its disposal.
Today there is no more fuel. People are struggling to get to their workplace. Long queues start even before noon in the parking lots. Those who can, have no choice but to walk. “We don’t know what to say anymore. We are abandoned. There you go, even the authorities aren't speaking, it's radio silence. It’s absurd,” laments Idissa, a mother met on the Pont de la République, after having walked more than an hour to reach the city center.
She says she does not understand why we cannot allow bicycles to return to work: “Even if only allow them to reach the Ntahangwa river for those from the north and the Muha for those from the south. I think that this can contribute in this period of lack of fuel,” she suggests, calling on those who took the bicycle ban measure to consider relieving the population. Remember that it was from March 21 that the measure banning two-wheelers came into force.
Why this silence ?
Edmond, a resident of Kanyosha, is overwhelmed. “It’s the first time we’ve spent so many days without fuel or gasoline. And there you have it, alongside the problems of getting around, the prices of all foodstuffs have gone up,” he laments. He gives the example of coal: “The price of a bag today is multiplied by three or even four. And that's if we're lucky enough to have one. We no longer negotiate. Coal sales stands have become like gas stations. Applicants are forced to queue to be served. It’s unfortunate,” he describes, under emotion.
“What if we let the bikes go back to work? », he asks, noting that instead of persisting in a situation as sensitive as this one, we must test all avenues to lighten the burden on the population.
“Before the bicycle ban, they were the ones who supplied us with coal, bananas, etc. They do not need fuel to work,” he emphasizes, warning that if the situation continues for two or three more weeks, it will be untenable.
Edmond also finds that we must let the motorcycles, the Jeho Kuki , the tricycles arrive in the city center. Indeed, he explains, they do not require fuel and are a quick means of travel. “I have no doubt that this will help civil servants, students, bankers, etc. not to be late for work. I tell myself that the more people miss work or show up late, the government is also losing,” he analyzes, calling on the government to break its silence and say clearly what is happening in that sector.
“To cure an illness, you have to know the causes. And like that, looking for solutions, remedies. And less demanding means of travel are one of the possible solutions,” he says.