Commercial drivers in Lagos State under the auspices of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN), have threatened to embark on a seven days protest and boycotting of services across due to the over multiple and excessive extortion by the management of parks and garages in the state.
A statement by the management through it's National Leader, Akintade S. Abiodun; Chairman, Opeyemi Sulaiman; General secretary, Ajimatanarareje A. Feyisayo and Assistant Secretary, Taofik Hassan has been scheduled to commence their protest and boycott on Monday, October 31 as an instruction to all members that must be adhered to.
The cost of transportation affects cost of goods and services and most importantly, the cost of living, which has spiraled astronomically in Lagos State as a result of the effect of motor parks excessive and illegal ticketing and tolling at almost every bus stop.
The drivers lamented that despite their dedication to their work, subjection to indiscriminate extortion, violent harassment by the management of state transport agencies, motor parks and garages and Lagos State caretaker committee is a major challenge for them.
The statement read, "On a daily basis, we lose half of our income to the motor park boys through extortion and excessive ticketing. We pay exorbitant charges in the garages and at every bus stop where we drop off passengers, whether we pick up passengers or not, we pay morning, afternoon and night. Some routes have 25 bus stops which also serve as illegal tax collection avenues.
"From Badagry to Mile 2, we pay N3,500 & N5,000 naira apart from 25 illegal tolling/ticketing by motorpark hoodlums who collect #200-#300 per bus. From Some in their park, the sum of N7,100 in the morning before loading their buses yet still subjected to illegal collection on the highway.
"On Federal Mass & Coaster, we pay over N12,000 on each trip from Oko Afo to CMS or to Oyingbo, which includes loading charges and illegal payments at several bus stops till we get to our destination.
"From Ogijo to Ikorodu, we pay over N5,500 per day. Garage Ticket N850, Chairman ticket N1,700, King's levy N200, Ita Oluwo N500, Odo Gunyon N1,200, Ile Epo Oba N200. We also pay N900 for passIng by whether you pick up a passenger or not.
"At Ikorodu Roundabout we pay N1,000 in the morning and afternoon and we pay N500 in the evening which makes it N2,500. At Benson Bus Stop we pay N900 for a whole day, loading at N300 each for morning, afternoon and evening."