Lagos Residents Slam Plan to Ban Mini Buses from Major Roads Amid Vehicles Shortage

Residents in Lagos State have condemned the planned restrictions of mini buses, otherwise called ‘Korope’ from plying major amidst scarce mass transportation system in the state.
The move is creating fear and uncertainty over high cost of transportation that would take place if the enforcement of ban of Korope from major roads within the state is enforced.
In their reactions why chatting with LEADERSHIP, some Labour leaders described the move as anti-masses policy that would make general public pay exorbitantly for transportation based on the scarcity of mass transit vehicles within the state.

Comrade Fred Egomah, claimed the move is an act lack of concerned by the state actors.

According Egomah, “it will be totally wrong for government that has not provided a better alternative to come out with enforcement of such ban.

“You can imagine how painful it was for a woman, along Lekki CMS route, when her only means of livelihood was taken from her by the enforcement agents last week. The woman crying bitterly said she borrowed money to buy the korope in order to feed her family, as the vehicle was forcefully taken from her, she did not know what else she can do for survival.”

Moreover Egomah said, “this is where constant and constructive information and engagements from government should apply. It is not healthy development for any government or policy maker to dish-out unpalatable policy without seeking the reaction from the general public.

“You don’t just come out with enforcement when you have not fully briefed the people that are going to be affected by such policy, it is lack of concern for the people. A sensitive government should first think of the welfare of the people rather than giving out harsh policies that would oppress the people.”

On his part, a member of one of the affiliates of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Kabir Garba pointed out that the move is sign of insensitivity of government of the general public.

According to him, “when the state enforcement against Okada riders on the highway received support of many people despite the hardship that followed it, it now wants to ban Korope, which is a better alternative..Banning Korope from major highway without better alternative will means building the mega city without consideration of the plight of human beings will only lead to derailment unless the state government will fill the vacuum with its own BRT buses.”

Likewise, another member of an affiliate of NLC, Comrade Oyabanji Ijoko,
“We are fully in support of the ban if and only the same state government will provide better alternatives to save the masses from the problems that would follow the move.”

It would be recalled that the implementation which was mainly meant for motorists plying Ajah, Lekki, Obalende, CMS, is about extension to other parts of the state.

And, it would also be recalled that Lagos State Government had earlier announced plans to halt the operations of mini-buses, popularly known as korope, along major corridors across the state following severe traffic disruptions on the CMS–Lekki–Epe Expressway earlier this week, but that plan is about to be extended to other parts of the state.