Thousands of passengers plying Badagry-Lagos road were on Monday stranded at various bus stops as commercial bus and cab drivers continued their strike in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commercial vehicle drivers had on March 4 withdrew their services in protest against alleged extortion and constant manhandling by touts.
They also alleged that the Lagos State Government (LASG) indiscriminately increased the levy on commercial vehicles from N500 to N800 without proper consultation.
NAN correspondent who monitored the situation on Monday observed that there were no commercial buses and cars along the route thereby making passengers to wait endlessly at bus stops.
NAN also reports that from Badagry Roundabout, Aradagun, MTN bus stop, Angel Gabriel, Agbara and Igbo Elerin bus stops, commercial motorcycles otherwise known as “Okada’’ were seen conveying passengers at exhorbitant fares.
Speaking with NAN correspondent, some stranded passengers appealed to LASG to intervene as they could no longer get to their various destinations.
Mrs Felicia Oladapo, a 42-year-old mother of three who sells tomato in Mile 2, said she could not reach her place of business from Badagry due to the protest.
Oladapo said she could neither afford exhorbitant fares being charghed bt commercial motorcyclists.
“Initially, I thought it was going to be a short protest and that the needs of the commercial drivers would be met in no time as they are fighting for a just cause.
“It is unfortunate that since four days ago, their cries have fallen on deaf ears of those in power, I am becoming more agitated by the day because I haven’t had access to my business.
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“We are begging the government to intervene and reduce the levy and listen to the drivers’ plights,’’ she said.
Mr. Adewale Funsho, a business owner who deals in the sale and delivery of Laptop computers in the Popular Computer Village, Ikeja, was among the stranded passengers at Aradagun bus stop.
He said that the protesting drivers were making life miserable for the people because of misunderstanding between them, the government and their unions.
Funsho said that he had been spending heavily on transportation to Ikeja.
Mr Mautin Solomon, a student of Lagos State University, Ojo, who was stranded at Igbo Elerin bus stop, said he went to campus to process his NYSC application.
“I am confused, I have to go to Badagry to carry my belongings and from Badagry to orientation camp, it is almost impossible for me to make it to camp this week unless the issue of the tax levy hike is somehow resolved and trekking is not an option,” he said.
Mr. Moshood Adeleke, a commercial bus driver, said that since government was not taking them seriously, the strike would involve commercial tricycle operators known as “Keke Marwa’’ and Okada riders from tomorrow.
Adeleke said that this would enable the government to take them serious and look into the matter.(NAN)
