Commuters stranded as BRT drivers embark on strike - By Bose Adelaja

By Bose Adelaja
Commuters were, yesterday, stranded at
various Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, bus stops
and terminals across Lagos, following an
industrial action by the bus drivers, operated
by Primero Ltd.

The drivers were protesting, among others,
unpaid salaries and allowances, delayed
payment of benefits, reversal of their terms
and conditions of service

As early 6 am, there were long queues of
commuters at the BRT bus terminals at
Ikorodu, Ketu, Ojota, Maryland and other
designated terminals, waiting for the buses
in vain At about 9am, some of the drivers were seen
at Majidun loading station, chanting solidarity
songs to press home their demands while the
buses were off the road. Some of the drivers, who spoke on condition
of anonymity, claimed that their basic
salaries had been slashed to N40,000 without
reasons, non-payment of July and September
salaries, and breach of agreement by
management. According to them, for the past four months,
the management had slashed their salaries
from N60,000 to N45, 000 and effort to get
them to revert it proved abortive, lamenting
that performance bonus of N20,000 and other
benefits were no longer forthcoming. Efforts to speak with Primero Managing
Director, Fola Tinubu, or the company’s
image maker, Mosunmola Agbaje, were
unsuccessful at press time. But a senior staff who spoke on condition
anonymity, appealed to the protesters to
exercise patience. However, the action was
suspended at 4 pm.