Addis Ababa is developing and growing faster than ever. The extraordinarily long transportation lines serve as clear evidence of that. Ever notice how backed up everything gets during rush hour? You start to worry if there are enough taxis or buses in the city to handle the large crowds of people impatiently waiting to get home or to work.
There is no doubt that individuals despise having to wait in those queues every morning and night. I can tell by the lengthy queues that the city’s population is expanding at an unprecedented rate. The city does not appear to have enough public transportation options to address the issue.
Why is the city’s population expanding so rapidly? I think there is only one answer to that. And that is the dearth of opportunities in the cities of the remainder of the nation. If a survey could be conducted, I’m willing to guess that the majority of the populace was not born or raised in the city.
Addis Ababa appears to offer chances to both individuals who are prepared to work and those who have chosen not to work and rely on other people’s money, particularly beggars and pickpockets.
Anyone else feel as though the number of beggars has increased exponentially? Did things used to be this way 10 or 20 years ago?
It’s difficult for me to recall, but I am certain that the feeling of being suffocated by beggars on the streets was far less acute back then than it is now. Both cars and beggars appear to be clogging up traffic lights. It is rather uncomfortable to be surrounded by a mob of beggars, most of them young women with children. Some may even attempt to squeeze their hands or even their heads through your car window.
When there are beggars standing at all sides of your car, pleading for you to give them some extra change, it is impossible to even hold a conversation, and all you want to do is get out of there as soon as you can.
According to what I’ve heard, the police in Addis Ababa have made it illegal to give money to beggars. Drivers who do so risk getting a big fine.
The police made a bold move there!
But I’m curious whether they have any plans to address the beggars themselves. Or are they merely going to urge that drivers refrain from giving these people money? Does the police intend to prohibit homeless folks from following people’s automobiles at stoplights?
The police need to realize that as long as vendors and beggars are allowed to solicit donations, drivers will continue to do so. So, giving the drivers fines is not the only solution, since it won’t solve the problem.
In fact, it ought to be against the law to stand next to cars at stoplights. Both dealers and beggars should face penalties. People will ask as long as there are givers, and as long as there are givers, there will be people asking. Both should be subject to the norm at traffic stops!
It’s the only way to make traffic stops clean!
