Commuters Stranded, Groan As Lagos Commercial Buses Begin Strike

Many commuters were yesterday stranded as the strike embarked upon by commercial drivers in Lagos State under the umbrella of Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) commenced in the state.

The strike paralysed businesses and human activities in the early hours of the day as many people seen stranded at various bus stops were compelled to trek long distances.

The general counsel/legal adviser to the body, Ayo Ademiluyi, while speaking with our correspondent, said the
drivers’ strike recorded 80 per cent compliance in some parts of the state.

“All over the world there can never be 100 per cent compliance to protest. So we don’t expect 100 per cent compliance. Besides, some areas did not start on time. As I am speaking with you right now, our members from Mile 2 to Seme Border are just joining the strike. From Ikeja to CMS, and other areas have started compliance.”
Ademiuyi said they wanted to use the strike to make the Lagos State government create a decent mega city with eradication of poverty for JDWAN members.

“Commercial drivers cannot be working like elephants and eating like ants. It is like a baboon is working and a monkey is eating. Our members are making positive contributions towards building Lagos State into a world class city. However, the activities of touts (agberos) are bringing set-back whereby hard working people are being forcefully exploited on a daily basis by touts, etc. Our plan is to continue with this strike for the next seven days.’’
In a swift reaction, the special adviser to the governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the state government was looking into the demands of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria with a view to finding permanent solutions to the issues raised by the association.