MOBILE MONEY BOOTH OPERATORS WORRIED

MOBILE MONEY BOOTH OPERATORS WORRIED

MOBILE money booth operators are worried that the UPND government may close their booths in order to encourage people to be using banks and other financial institutions for depositing and withdrawing of money. 

This follows the uprooting of mobile money booths in some areas following the election victory of the UPND and the declaration of MR Hakainde Hichilema as president elect.

The UPND has however warned its members to desist from lawlessness and urged police to take charge and ensure law and order prevail.

Some booth operators at VML in Riverside said they have been informed that government would soon close booths so that people could be encouraged to use banks for various transactions.

Exhildah Chinga, one of the mobile money operators at VML said if government decides to close the booths, then it should find them other things to do for them to earn a living.

“We survive through this job of booth operators of providing services of various money transactions of sending, depositing and withdrawing people’s money but if government decides to close the booths, then we will be left in the cold.

“We just hope what we are hearing is not true. If it is true then government, should find us other sources of income. It should find us employment ” Ms Chinga said.

And some members of the public talked to, said mobile money transfers have been the most convenient way of receiving and sending money by people from various parts of the country.

Elijah Shantumbo said technology has brought a lot of things on board and the mobile money transfers were some if the convenient things brought up by technology.

Mr Shantumbo said business institutions must learn to be flexible to meet the demands of the people and also cope with the challenges brought up by technology. 

“Things are changing every day because of technology and so it is only fair that those in business refine and adjust their policies to meet the demands of the people and also cope with the challenges brought up by technology.

“Many businesses have been grounded because of failure to cope with the challenges brought by technology. So I don’t think closing the booths would be a good move. No. ” Mr Shantumbo said.

BY ROGERS KALERO