The Lagos State Government has called the leadership of Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) to a crucial meeting on Wednesday, November 2.
This is in search of lasting solutions to their demands.
These drivers have lamented that despite their dedication to work, they have always been subjected to indiscriminate extortion, violent harassment by the management of state transport agencies, motor parks and garages and Lagos State caretaker committee.
"On a daily basis, we lose like half of our income to the motor park boys. We pay exorbitant charges in the garages and at every bus stop where we drop off passengers, irrespective maybe 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 two to three hundred naira per bus. From Seme in their park, they do collect N7,100 in the morning before loading our buses yet we are still subject 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, " the group noted.