Commercial vehicle drivers in Badagry axis of Lagos State have blamed the new N800 levy imposed on buses and cars by the state government for their decision to stay off the roads.
The drivers, who were protesting against an increase in the levy from N500 to N800, vowed not go back to the road unless the government rescinded the new levy.
The strike by the commercial drivers got passengers stranded at Badagry roundabout, Mowo, Aradagun and Agbara areas of the state.
Chairman, Ebute-Ero- Seme 18-passengers bus, Jim Feyisayo, told Financial Street that it was time to end the exploitation.
“Most of us have been pushed to the wall because of series of extortion by the tout and police at different check points.
“Paying the N500 levy by the government is not easy for us, but to our surprise the levy was increased to N800 on Thursday. This is too much on our side,” he stated.
From the middle of last year, it was fuel increase, then from three check points, the police increased it to over 10 points and we have to drop at least N100 at each point, he alleged.
According to him, the levy should be only at a bus stop and not from one bus stop to another.
“Most of the drivers cannot boast of going home at the end of the day with N1,000 after daily delivery to the vehicle owner. We are appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our aid by reverting the levy to its former N500.
“Things are very hard now and everyone is finding it difficult to survive,” he said.
Ismaila Adewuyi, a driver plying Igbo Elerin to Badagry, urged the government to reduce the levy for the sake of the masses.
“For the past few days now, passengers have been stranded due to the strike by our members because of this new levy,” he said.
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