By Vincent Kalu and Vivian Onyebukwa
Commercial bus drivers in Lagos have defied the order of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee (LSPG) Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, to reduce their transport fares by 25 per cent with effect from August 3, 2023.
Reports across the state noted the order is rather observed in the breach, as they still maintain their normal fares.
As part of efforts to cushion the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, Governor Sanwo-Olu had announced some measures, including a reduction in transport fares by 50 per cent on government-owned commercial buses and 25 per cent on commercial buses owned by individual. MC Oluomo had affirmed the order and directed commercial buses in the state to reduce their fares by 25 per cent.
On Friday, a day after the order, the commercial buses were still charging the normal fares.
A trip from Iyana Iba to Iyana Ipaja cost N500; Okoko to Mile Two, N500; while Egbeda to Dopemu was the same N200. Egbeda to Oshodi remained N500; Ikeja Along to Oshodi was N200, while Mile Two to Oshodi remained N500. A trip from Ijegu to Ikotun was still N150, while Ikotun to Egbeda was N300.
When reminded of the governor’s order, some transport workers at the Iba First Gate Garage wondered if there was any petrol station the governor and the LSPG chairman had ordered to reduce its fuel pump price.
According to them, the government was merely trying to calm frayed nerves and buy time to foil the protests in the state.
“They knew it was not possible. At the current pump price, after daily delivery to the owners of the buses, we almost go home with nothing, and they are telling us to reduce the fares.
“Our leader has vehicles, he should know the cost of their maintenance; so he joined the governor to give the directive for the sake of it. He didn’t mean it because he knew that it was not workable. It is one of such talks to make angry people happy.”
Other transport workers at Ikeja Park also informed that no process was put in place to enforce the order.