Lagos commuters have been seen stranded after Lagos bus commercial drivers embark on 7 days warning strike on Monday.
The Nigerian Joint Drivers Welfare Association ((JDWAN)) said on Sunday launch its seven-day strike proposal starting today (Monday) as it failed to produce results from its meeting with the state government.
JDWAN national leader Akintade Abiodun, who disclosed the matter, said some of the association’s representatives had met with the secretary for transport.
Abdulhafiz Toriola and the motor park management liaison officer Mr Hakeem Odumosu (AIG rtd) in the company of JDWAN legal adviser, Barrister Ayo Ademiluyi.
“Lagos State Government has since given no concrete response to JDWAN’s demands, instead, their representatives have only requested that another letter be submitted on Monday, which is considered a joke by our hand, after issuing a press release with concise requests, we have also honored the request to hand over a physical copy of the letters to the Lagos State Government, SSS, Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Transport respectively.”
“The retired AIG also specifically said that they cannot get rid of the extortionists from bus stop to bus stop because they work for the state government, he also suggested that MC oluomo may organize thugs to attack us and we will be blamed or credited of violence, all in a failed fear tactic, also the Assistant Minister of Transport threatened to arrest us and our lawyer while we were in their office.”
“Hakeem Odumosu’s threat statement that MC oluomo might attack our members is already happening, via sile sekoni (hamburger) of badagry roundabout motor park management branch, JAFO (oniba of iba) from Interim Committee, Iba Branch, Seyi bamgbose (student) of Iyana Iba Branch Interim Committee who threatened to beat and kill drivers on Monday 31 October.
JDWAN notes that Lagosians should be aware that if anything happens to our drivers, the above mentioned figures should be held responsible.
“It is pertinent to note that there is a current restraining court order granted by Justice PO LIFU of the Federal High Court of Ecoi against the Lagos State Government and all transport agencies, withholding them from ticket, bus stop levy, motor park levy, arrears and Any kind of extortion from commercial drivers with suit number between Applicant Barrister Olukoya Ogungbeje, Transport Union Society of Nigeria (TUSON) and Respondents NURTW, RTEAN, NARTO, Musiliu Akinsanya (Mc Oluomo), Mohd: FHC/ L/CS/224/2022 Moses, Lol Joseph Othman, Lagos State Government, Arttoni General of Lagos State, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the State Security Service. Violent Clashes and Demonstrations”
He said the following will participate in the strike: Ibile Drivers Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (DSWAN), Megacities Nigeria Drivers Welfare Association (MCDWA), Federal Auxiliary Public Transport Corporation (FAMTI), Owners, Drivers and Conductors Association (ODCA), Lagos Commercial Bus Drivers and Owner Operators (CBDOP), Mini Bus Drivers Welfare Association (MNDWA).
The Chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Management Committee, Musileo Akansanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, did not respond to Vanguard’s calls.
