The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has thrown its weight behind the threat of commercial drivers in Lagos State to embark on seven day mass protest and boycott of services across the state over multiple and excessive extortion by the management of parks and garages in the state.
CACOL in a statement signed by Tola Oresanwo, the anti-corruption organization’s Director, Administration and Programmes on behalf of its Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, stated that it received the news that Lagos commercial drivers are threatening to embark on seven day mass protest and boycott of services across the state over multiple and excessive extortion by the management of parks and garages in the state with mixed feelings.
The commercial vehicle operators under the aegis of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) had issued a statement,where it stated that, “we kick against paying motor park thugs at every bus stop. All illegal money paid after we leave the garages and parks should be abolished immediately. Harassment by law enforcement agencies and intimidation with guns, cutlass, broken bottles by LASTMA, task force and RRS must end immediately.
The aggrieved commercial vehicle operators added that, they also pay for entertainment, security, unit chairman’s food and many other ridiculous levies with threat of violence at any slight refusal by the drivers. “Lagos commercial drivers work like elephants and eat like ants while the urchins under the aegis of motor park workers take a large chunk of our earnings.” The group stated.
It alleged the law enforcement agents collaborate and hire thugs to attack and extort money from them every day without they violating any law
CACOL noted that it is instructive to note that over the years, multiple and excessive extortion from Lagos drivers has been the order of the day.
“We at CACOL believe that allowing these drivers to carry out their threat without addressing the issues raised would be tantamount to insensitivity on the part of government, it may also lead to unnecessary break down of law and order with the attendant disruption,in the economic activities in the state and it will subject large numbers of commuters to untold hardships.
“We therefore call on the Lagos State government to quickly call and dialogue with these drivers knowing fully well that their activities contribute significantly to the growth and development of the economy of Lagos State”.
It noted that the money being collected from those drivers have not been accounted for by relevant agencies of government.
“It is a common phenomenon in different parts of Lagos to see instances where commercial drivers and their assistants are being bullied, molested and assaulted by agents of parks and garages in the state,” the statement reads.
