“…most of the union members at the meeting were from the Badagry axis and it was resolved that the meeting be adjourned till Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022 to have a larger house, which will include representatives of other recognised unions with a view to resolving the matter amicably.”
As members of the Joint Drivers’ Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) on Monday commenced a seven-day strike over “multiple and excessive extortion” by the Parks Management Committee headed by Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, the Lagos State Government said it was already taking steps to address their grievances.
Members of JDWAN include commercial vehicles popularly known as Danfos, and mini-buses locally known as Korope.
A release signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, said that sequel to the announcement by JDWAN to embark on a seven-day strike starting from 31st October, 2022, the State Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, had invited its leadership to a meeting on Friday, 28th October, 2022, despite its non-affiliation to any of the transport unions, such as NURTW and RTEAN, known to the State.
According to him, most of the union members at the meeting were from the Badagry axis and it was resolved that the meeting be adjourned till Wednesday, 2nd November, 2022 to have a larger house, which will include representatives of other recognised unions with a view to resolving the matter amicably.
While noting that the outcome of the second meeting scheduled to hold on Wednesday would be made known to the public, Giwa urged members of JDWAN to continue their daily routine without fear of molestation and intimidation as security agencies have been directed to maintain law and order.
“Those who are taking advantage of the situation to raise fares are warned to desist from doing so or face the consequences of their illegal actions”, he added.
The Shield Online reports that many commuters were stranded on Monday, day -one of the strike.
In many Local Government Areas of the State such as Agege, Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye, and Ikeja , many commuters were seeing at bus stops jostling for the few commercial vehicles by some drivers who broke ranks with their colleagues who obeyed the directive to keep off work.
This led to hiked in transport fares by up to 100% .
Commuters who were unwilling to pay resorted to trekking.