Alleged extortion and harassment: Lagos Transport drivers, MC Oluomo reach compromise

In one of our reports last week Monday, November 1, we reported that some commercial drivers under the aegis of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria embarked on a warning strike to register their grievances over the extortion, harassment, and intimidation of its members by members of the LSPGM committee. One week after, there seems to be an end in sight in resolving the dispute as leaders of JDWAN say it has reached a compromise with MC Oluomo’s Parks and Garage Committee.  

What is the development?

At the peace meeting held yesterday, November 7, at the Agege Local Government Secretariat of the Lagos State Parks and Garage, leaders of JDWAN and other affiliated groups in the Lagos commercial transport business called off the warning strike, stating that their grievances have been attended to and met by the Parks and Garage Management led by MC Oluomo.

This is however coming after the Lagos State government held a series of meetings with both the striking Unions and the Parks and Garage Management Committee, which was presided over by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, in Alausa Ikeja.

During that meeting, Giwa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Gbolahon Toriola assured the unions of the state government’s resolve to use law enforcement agencies to dislodge miscreant parading themselves as “union members on Lagos road” and also advising the transport union to officially write to the ministry, if the resolutions reached between both parties are not implemented.

Speaking after the meeting, the chairman of the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, Abiodun Akintude, appreciated the Lagos State government for their prompt intervention on the matter, stating that all their grievances have been attended to and met by the Parks and Garage Committee.

“We have set a special committee, headed by my humble self, Abiodun, with eight members from JDWAN and eight from Parks and Garage to ensure a harmonious working relationship henceforth in the implementation of agreements hereby sealed.

“We are satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and we believe we are moving forward from here henceforth” he added.

JDWAN chairman also appealed to the state government to uphold and legalize the payment of the unified N800 daily levy, caution errant law enforcement agents and as well checkmate the excesses of transport union members.