MC Oluomo
MC Oluomo says Lagos drivers won’t join strike. The Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee has stated that its members will not participate in the planned nationwide protest by organized labor groups.
The LSPG Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, said this on Tuesday during a meeting with transport union leaders and operators.
He said, “We, the state executives and the entire members of Lagos State Parks and Garages met today in Lagos to review the situation in the country, particularly in Lagos, following the oil subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
“After much deliberations and review, we discussed the high cost of food, transport fares and other areas of public interest, in particular, the plan by the organised Labour unions i.e. the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call workers out on strike action.
“After careful consideration, we determined that we will not participate in any strike or protest rally planned to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the issue being debated in the country.”
“Because the Lagos State Government has announced some interventions in the sector, all transport family and members will be at work to transport people to their various destinations without issue.”
Akinsanya at the meeting, also announced relief measures for commercial bus drivers and passengers to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
The LSPG boss said the tickets sold to drivers at parks for N800 would now be N600 and all booking fees would be reduced by 25 per cent.
Akinsanya stated that transit fares would be reduced from N500 to N300 on some routes, while those paying N200 would pay N150 elsewhere.
He also stated that commercial motorbike and tricycle operators will receive a 25% discount on union tickets.
Akinsanya announced the formation of a task force team to oversee the orders’ execution, as well as a warning to executives of various parks and garages to ensure compliance, threatening fines for any who fail to do so.
All members of the state administration, park chairmen, and selected union leaders would lead the task committee.
Oluomo stated that the agency would do all possible to avoid causing disruption to the public.
He said the directive was a follow-up to the announcement of Governor Sanwo-Olu on bus fares reduction.
“The Lagos State Government has created an enabling environment for our operations.” As a result, there is no need for us to join any strike that may jeopardize the state’s tranquility. The various palliative measures taken by the state government especially the 50 per cent reduction of government public transport and a downward review on our Yellow Buses fares will also, go a long way in cushioning the effect of the subsidy removal.
“We have also embarked on internal measures like downward reviews of Lagos State Government and union tickets. With this, there will be a reduction in transport fares by commercial drivers,” Akinsanya said.