Commercial drivers in Lagos have threatened to embark on an unannounced strike in protest against several grievances, including the recent hike in fuel prices, police extortion, excessive daily ticket fees, and multiple collection points in motor parks and garages.
Drivers have reportedly been holding clandestine meetings to prepare for the potential strike action if their concerns remain unaddressed.
Akeem Ogunjobi, a driver on the Oshodi-Sango/Ota route, expressed his frustration over the sharp increase in fuel prices. “How can the government increase the fuel price so high without considering the masses?” he asked.
Ogunjobi explained that drivers struggled to make ends meet when the fuel price was N565 per litre. With prices now doubled, their situation has become even more precarious.
He also lamented the rampant extortion by police officers, which significantly impacts their earnings. “The police are another big problem we are facing,” Ogunjobi added.
“They extort drivers daily, and if you refuse to give them money, they will delay you for an hour or take your bus to the station. How can we survive with all these problems?”
Another driver, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that a significant portion of their daily income goes to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as ticket fees. “Each driver pays over N8, 000 to the NURTW workers daily,” he said. “The ticket fees are too much, and many drivers can’t afford to pay.”
He further described the intimidation tactics employed by “Agberos” (touts), who often damage vehicles when drivers refuse to pay. “They will remove the wiper, glass rubber, or fuel tank cover if you don’t give them money,” he explained.
“Imagine having over seven to ten collection points from one destination to another. How much remains for us to take home?”
Hassan Okanlomo, who operates on the Ikotun-Iyana Ipaja route, appealed to the Lagos State government to address the issue of Agbero extortion.”
“They are killing us with the money they collect every day,” he said. “How can we pay over N1, 000 to Agberos for just N3, 000 worth of passengers we carry from one location to another?”
The anonymous driver warned: “We are tired of this job, but we have no other means of income. Now that the fuel price has skyrocketed, we must speak out so that the areas that need correction will be addressed. If nothing changes, we will strike unannounced.”
