The joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria ((JDWAN)) said on Sunday that its scheduled seven-day strike would begin tomorrow (Monday) after a meeting with the state administration generated no results.
According to JDWAN National Leader, Akintade Abiodun, some representatives of the association met with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, and the motor park management liaison officer, Mr Hakeem Odumosu (AIG rtd), in the presence of JDWAN legal adviser, Barrister Ayo Ademiluyi.
He said that the purpose of the weekend meeting was failed since all the drivers received was threats upon threats, and hence the strike would go on as planned.
“Leadership of the joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria met with Lagos State government representatives, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, and the motor park management liaison officer Mr Hakeem Odumosu (AIG rtd) in the company of our legal adviser barrister Ayo Ademiluyi,” Akintade said in a statement made available to Vanguard.
“The Lagos State government has since made no concrete response to JDWAN demands, rather, their representatives only asked for another letter to be submitted on Monday, which is regarded as a joke on our part, having released a press statement with concise demands, we also honored the demand to deliver physical copies of the letters to the Lagos State government, the SSS, the Commissioner of Police, and the Commissioner of Transport, respectively.”
“The retired AIG also expressly stated that they can’t get rid of bus stop to bus stop extortionists because they work for the state government; he also suggested that MC Oluomo can organize thugs to attack us and we will be blamed or credited for the violence; and the assistant to the minister for transportation threatened to arrest us and our lawyer while we were in their office.”
“The statement by Hakeem Odumosu that MC Oluomo may attack our members is already happening, through sile sekoni (burger) of badagry roundabout motor park management branch, JAFO (oniba of iba) of caretaker committee, iba branch, Seyi bamgbose (student) of Iyana iba caretaker committee branch, who threatened to beat and kill drivers on Monday 31s
JDWAN emphasizes that Lagosians must be informed that if anything occurs to our drivers, the aforementioned factors should be held accountable.
“It is important to note that there is an existing restraining court order granted by Justice P.O LIFU of the federal high court in Ikoyi against the Lagos state government and all transport agencies, prohibiting them from ticketing, bus stop levies, motor park levies, dues, and any form of extortion from commercial drivers, with suit no: FHC/L/CS/224/2022 between applicant barrister olukoya ogungbeje,
“It is unfortunate that Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu’s spokespeople are ridiculing Lagos drivers’ plight and are uninterested in solving the primary reason generating high living costs in Lagos by requesting another letter and demanding that we call off the boycott without addressing our five concerns.”
“Drivers and commuters have been subjected to extortion and harassment by vehicle park management and caretaker committee goons known as Agbero.”
The blind in Lagos can also see that the cost of products and services is increasing as a result of Agbero’s extortion; no items can be delivered, and 95% of working-class residents can be carried without the assistance of commercial drivers.
“The unbridled and aggressive extortion by Lagos government agents has not only raised transportation fares beyond the grasp of employees, but has also put every item and service out of reach of the impoverished Lagosians,” he stated.
The transporter’s executives detailed the drivers’ demands, which included:
“Our demands are unequivocal and inviolable!”
1) Complying with the court’s order.
At every bus stop, we kick against paying motor park goons.
All unlawful money in parking garages and parks must be stopped.
LASTMA, task force, and RRS must stop harassing law enforcement authorities and intimidating them with weapons, cutlasses, and shattered bottles immediately.
To prevent arrest by lastma for dropping off passengers at current bus stops identified to commuters as official bus stops, the Lagos State government should create and designate extra bus stops for commercial usage.
“Once again, we are appealing on all Lagos commercial drivers, commuters, civil society organizations, and residents to follow the 7-day boycott beginning Monday, October 31st, by remaining at home and not ply any road for business reasons or blocking any road whatsoever.”
Since the government has failed to halt the state-approved extortion, all drivers should be able to spend their day with their family without fear of extortion and violence from the Agberos of motor park administration and caretaker committee.
“We’ve also given the Lagos state government and the thuggish motor park extortion agency a seven-day deadline to reply to our requests.”
“JDWAN and other justice-loving citizens should obey the law, abstain from blocking highways, and avoid violent confrontations and protests,”
He stated that the strike will be supported by the following organizations: Ibile Drivers Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (DSWAN), Mega City Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (MCDWA), Federal Assisted Mass Transit Incorporation (FAMTI), Owners, Drivers and Conductors Association (ODCA), Commercial Bus Drivers and Owners Operators of Lagos (CBDOP), and Mini Bus Drivers Welfare Association (MNDWA).
