HONIARA City Council (HCC) will ban foreign owned buses operating in Honiara city.
That was according to City Mayor Andrew Mua in an exclusive interview over the weekend.
He said their input into the Bus Ordinance will promote indigenous business rights.
“It is obvious that some of the foreign owned business houses have ventured into bus servicing forcing locals out in the competitive public transport sector.
“The Highway Code within the Bus Ordinance will ensure strict award of business license,” he said.
It has been observed that foreigners running business in Honiara bought second hand buses and employ local drivers and crew.
This gave rise to the popular but yet stereotyped term ‘Waku bus’ seeing most buses is owned by Chinese businessmen.
Work on the Bus Ordinance by the Highway Authority is expected to be completed by next year which will be passed by parliament and handed down to HCC and police for implementation, he said.
Comments are being sought from the Foreign Investment office for their views regarding this soon-to-be implemented act.
By TEDDY KAFO
