According to the president of the Associação Nova Aliança dos Taxistas de Angola (ANATA), Francisco Paciente, differences prevail on the public road between its members, administrative authorities and police personnel in the perception of their work in a state of emergency.
"We took advantage of the meeting to present the divergences we are having on public roads in the interpretation of the state of emergency by municipal administrations and police commanders," said Francisco Paciente in Luanda.
Speaking at the end of a meeting on the economic impact of covid-19 on companies in the transport sector, promoted by the Ministry of Transport, he noted that taxi drivers "know their limits".
The president of ANATA recalled that the activity of its associates falls within the scope of the exceptions, with "respect to social distance and hygiene of vehicles and passengers.
"But what we see is some excess on the part of municipal administrations and police commands", he pointed out.
Angola has this Monday fulfilled the tenth day of the second period of emergency that runs until Friday, in order to contain the spread of covid-19.
The first phase of the state of emergency in Angola took place between 27 March and 10 April.
The country already has 24 positive cases of the new coronavirus, including 16 active cases, six recovered and two deaths.
In a temporary state of exception, public transport should carry only one third of its capacity, motor-taxi service is prohibited, and the movement and permanence of people on the public highway is subject to certain limits.
However, Francisco Paciente pointed out that at the moment hundreds of taxi cars are being seized, especially in the municipalities of Talatona, Belas, Kilamba and Cuacuaco "where there is a lot of arrogance on the part of the police".
"We present these concerns here to the minister who assured, in the framework of the Interministerial Commission for Control and Combating Pandemic, to approach the Ministries of Interior and Administrations to overcome this dispute", he noted.
