Confusion Among Commercial Bus Drivers In Lagos Over JDWAN’s Authority To Call For Strike

Following the announced strike action by the Joint Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN), confusion has trailed Lagos commercial bus drivers as some of them have come out to claim they are not aware of the group’s existence.

Naija News reports that as the strike enters its third day today, many drivers have gone back to work because they didn’t understand the authority the group had to embark on the strike in the first instance.

Because of these agitations, only a handful of commercial bus drivers, who are believed to be members of the aggrieved group complied with the directive.

However, the boycott of Lagos roads as announced by the JDWAN leadership was said to have been effective on Monday when the strike started and yesterday, possibly because drivers were not aware of the body that called for the strike.

A development that left many commuters stranded at various bus stops across the state.

It was reported that on those two days, long queues were sighted in some areas like the Lagos-Badagry expressway, Ikorodu road, and part of Ikorodu, some sections in Alimosho and Badagry areas.

And also some stranded school children and passengers were seen trekking to their various destinations.

The strike action by the commercial bus drivers under the aegis of JDWAN resulted from the unattended complaints of the group over multiple and excessive extortions by the management of parks and garages in the state.

Naija News understands that some commercial bus drivers told The Nation newspaper that they were in support of the strike, while others believed that the association is a strange body.

Segun Olakunle, a commercial driver who plies the Ikotun-Cele route said “It is true that the amount we pay at garages is too much. Many of us do daily delivery. How do we get money to pay the owners of the busses and how much is left for us to take care of ourselves and family members.”

Olakunle, also pleaded with the government to regulate the transport sector.

Another driver identified as Suraju Ajibola, who plies Mile 2 – Oshodi, explained that he waited at home to see if the strike action would be effective, but “When my colleagues started calling and asking if I’m not working, I decided to come out. I’ve lost part of the day already. To me, the strike is not effective.”

Another driver Seun Ajagbe questioned JDWAN’s authority to call for strike action because they are not known.

Ajagbe submitted that many bus drivers don’t know the leadership of the association, adding that “If they are accusing the park management of illegality, is their action too not illegal? We all know the government recognised only two union bodies (NURTW and RTEAN); they are not under any of them. Does that mean any group of people can just come out under any name and start disturbing the peace of the state? I don’t take them seriously.”

Meanwhile, Naija News reported yesterday that the Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages Management, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, has promised to address JDWAN’s grievances.

He noted that “As we speak, we have not received any communication from anyone on the issue of extortion or harassment. They ought to have reported the matter to their branch chairmen or brought it to the state secretariat or if branch chairmen are not forthcoming.

“The purported strike action has a political undertone. If not, how come they are coming under a name unknown to the law? The government recognises two bodies – the suspended National Union of Road Transport Union (NURTW) in Lagos State and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

”The Joint Drivers’ Welfare Association of Nigeria (JDWAN) is not known. Despite that, the state government’s Liaison Officer to the Parks and Garages Management, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, has also waded into the matter and held a meeting with them. Instead of adhering to the agreement reached, they resulted in blackmailing the respected retired police officer,” MC Oluomo added.