The Peoples Democratic Party and some Lagos residents have appealed to aggrieved transport operators in the state to resume as their seven-day strike entered day two.
Drivers, under the aegis of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association, embarked on strike on Monday over the numerous levies and fees imposed on members of the group by the Lagos State Parks and Garages Committee under the leadership of Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.
Due to the strike, economic activities in the state have been partially grounded as goods and commuters are stranded at bus stops.
The PDP Publicity Secretary in Lagos, Hakeem Amode, pleaded with the drivers to enter into negotiations with the All Progressives Congress-led state government to alleviate the suffering of residents.
The statement read in part, “The continued fleecing of commuters and transport operators in Lagos State, which has resulted in the members of the sector declaring strike, calls for the attention of everyone living, commuting, and working in the state of excellence.
“We sympathise with the Lagos State transport operators on their strike and urge them to consider the plight of ordinary commuters in Lagos, who also bear the brunt of their agitation through the exorbitant transport fares which have eaten deep into their salaries.
“We urge them to come up with an acceptable condition of operation and dialogue with the APC government to find a mutually beneficial position that would not put the people of the state in more agony.”
Commuters also appealed to the striking drivers to consider their plight and resume operations.
A businessman, William Chibuzor, said, “Though the demands of the drivers are just, because if you look at it, it’s just like they are working for the agberos but we appeal to the drivers to resume work because we are the ones suffering the effect of the strike.”
An advert executive, Adeolu Olugbade, told our correspondent that at Dopemu Bus Stop, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, on Tuesday, commuters were stranded for hours, forcing people to use motorcycles.
He said, “On my way to work this morning, the crowd at Dopemu Bus Stop was massive; few buses worked and people resorted to taking Okada and paying triple to reach Oshodi.”
PUNCH Metro also learnt that some car owners used their vehicles for brisk business, as they picked up passengers on their way to their destinations.
