Commuters stranded as BRT drivers protest delayed salaries

Commuters in the Ikorodu area of Lagos state were left stranded on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, due to the unavailability of the buses, due to a protest by drivers of the

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) said it would leave no stone unturned to resolve the impasse between drivers and their employer.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the drivers on Tuesday downed tools to protest alleged delayed salary payment and unfavourable conditions of service.

The scheme, which provides bus services on a dedicated corridor or lane, is being operated by Primero Transport Services Limited.

Mr Iyiola Adegboye, LAMATA’s Acting Managing Director, who addressed the protesting drivers, said the agency was concerned about the possible impact of the strike on commuters.

"What we have done is to speak to the busmen and we have assured them that the state government is ready to listen to their demands,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after addressing workers.

"We have invited their representatives for a meeting at which we would discuss the issues, look into their grievances and then see how we will address them.

"But we have asked them to go back to the road and we believe that they will comply with that,’’ he said.

Adegboye appealed to stranded commuters, especially residents of Ikorodu, asking them to bear with the government.

"What has happened is not something that was not expected.

"We appreciate the fact that they are going through a lot of pressure now but we want to ask that they should please bear with us.

"We are working assiduously to resolve the issues,’’ he said.