Lagos commercial drivers begin 7-day strike, say no going back

The Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN), yesterday, declared that there is no going back on its proposed seven-day strike, starting today, Monday, October 31, as its meeting with the Lagos State Government yielded no positive result.

JDWAN national leader, Akintade Abiodun, in a statement issued yesterday, said the group met with the representatives of the state government and other stakeholders but their meeting yielded no fruitful result except threats to the union.

The statement read: “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, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (rtd), in the company of our legal adviser, Ayo Ademiluyi.

“The state government has since made no concrete response to JDWAN’s 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 press statement with concise demands, we also honoured the demand to deliver physical copy of the letters to the Lagos State government, the SSS, the Commissioner of Police and Commissioner for Transport respectively.

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“The retired AIG (Hakeem Odumosu) said they can’t get rid of bus stop to bus stop extortionists because they are working for the state government. He also suggested that MC Oluomo can organise thugs to attack us and we will be blamed or credited for the violence, all in failed fear-mongering tactics. Also, the assistant to the Minister for Transportation threatened to arrest us and our lawyer while in their office.

“The statement of threat by  Odumosu that MC Oluomo could attack our members is already happening, through  Berger of Badagry Roundabout Motor Park management branch, JAFO of Caretaker Committee, Iba branch, Bamgbose (Student) of Iyana Iba Caretaker Committee branch who threatened to beat and kill drivers on Monday, 31st of October. Lagosians must be aware that, if anything happens to our drivers, the elements named above should be held responsible

“It is pertinent to note that there is an existing restraining court order granted by Justice P.O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, against the Lagos State Government and all transport agencies, stopping 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; 

Olukoya Ogungbeje, Transport Union Society of Nigeria (TUSON) and respondents; NURTW, RTEAN, NARTO, Musiliu Akinsanya (Mc Oluomo), Mohammed Musa, Lawal Yusuf Othman, Lagos State Government, Attorney-General of Lagos State, Inspector-General of Police, Director General of State Security Service.

“It is sad that the representatives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu are mocking Lagos drivers’ predicament and are disinterested in stopping the major factor causing high cost of living in Lagos, by asking for another letter and demanding that we call off the boycott without addressing our five demands”.

JDWAN’s demands from the state government include compliance to  the court order, which stopped collection of levies by motor park thugs at every bus, stop end to harassment by law enforcement agencies, and building of more bus stops , among others.”SUN