Lagos Government Summons Commercial Drivers Over Seven-Day Strike

Commercial drivers in Lagos have been summoned by the state government after they embarked on industrial action on Monday.

The association revealed that it has been subjected to indiscriminate extortion and violent harassment by the management of parks and garages in the state.

Commenting on the strike, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Gbolahan Toriola said that the state government is determined to end the industrial action as soon as possible.

We are aware of the strike action by the transport unions. We have therefore invited the leadership to a crucial meeting on Wednesday, November 2, for further deliberation on how to resolve their demands amicably as soon as possible.

“From our initial meeting, we urged them to channel their grievances through appropriate authorities rather than going to the media to make threats capable of destabilizing the peace and tranquillity in the state.

“We advised them to go through the recognized National bodies of road transportation in the country, such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, now Parks and Garages Committee and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) because they have to be affiliated for government to be to come in and address issues.

“Also, we have warned them to desist from preventing other transport operators from their daily activities to avoid violent clashes and disturbance of public peace.

“So, the government is seriously working towards resolving the issue as soon as possible to restore normalcy to the affected areas,” he stated.

“The strike action is just about a few individual drivers who felt aggrieved and trying to express their grievances.

"They are mainly from Ono and Badagry Local Government Areas", Toriola added.