Local gov't employs taxi driver who carried Tbilisi flood volunteers for free
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A 24-year-old taxi driver in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi has been praised by authorities for his selflessness in the aftermath of the deadly flood.
Private taxi driver Giorgi Lomidze was offered employment by the local government in recognition of his service to the community in the days following the June 13 flash flood.
Lomidze accepted the employment offer with Tbilisi Nadzaladevi Gamgeoba, a local self-governor body of one of Tbilisi districts.
Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania took the young man to his new office and presented him to other staff.
Lomidze offered his taxi services free of charge to Tbilisi flood volunteers for six days. He parked his car near the flooded areas and offered free transport to any volunteer who helped clean the damaged streets.
Lomidze did not even ask for fuel, his passengers said.
Giorgi Lomidze's car. The caption says "Free taxi for volunteers".
"Everyone did whatever they could do for our city,” Lomidze said.
"I could not work physically so I did what I could. I don’t think it was a big deal,” said the driver who was reluctant to take credit for this.
Lomidze has worked as a private taxi driver for about two years.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili praised the young man’s efforts and his civic devotion and responsibility at a special press briefing where the PM summed up the cleaning activities after the major flooding.
He asked Tbilisi Mayor to employ Lomidze and stressed the young man’s behaviour was "generous”.
Lomidze’s new role at Natdzaladevi Gamgeoba will be to monitor the implementation process of the projects that are currently being implemented in the district.
"Giorgi knows this part of Tbilisi very well and his work will be very beneficial for our city,” the mayor said.
Hundreds of Georgians volunteered to help affected families and clean the city’s streets after June 13 deadly flash flood in Tbilisi’s Vake-Saburtalo district.
Spades and gloves were in short supply in Georgia’s capital after volunteers gathered in the city centre and started cleaning the mud-drenched streets.
Click here to see a photo story of what Tbilisi looks like after the disaster.
From tomorrow volunteers will no longer be able to participate in cleaning activities in flooded Tbilisi due to safety concerns.
Solidarity is the best word to describe the situation in Tbilisi today as hundreds volunteered to help the affected families and clean the city’s streets after Saturday night’s deadly flood.
Special recovery teams will spend the day clearing debris, removing mud and pumping water from water-clogged animal cages at Tbilisi Zoo and nearby territory to help the city recover from the June 13 deadly flash flood.
Thousands honoured for their flood response efforts
Thousands of people have been recognised by the Government of Georgia for their self-sacrifice, dedication and solidarity in the aftermath of the Tbilisi flood that claimed the lives of about two dozen people and displaced hundreds of people.
Man transforms car into cab to buy breakfast for homeless
Tonight, at exactly nine, Aka Sinjikashvili kisses his daughter and wife goodbye. He gets out of the house, goes to his car, opens the door, puts a taxi sign on the roof and leaves.