Passengers using the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit system found themselves stranded on Sunday due to a strike by drivers from Primero Transport Services Limited.
The drivers took this action in protest of the alleged non-payment of their December salaries.
Upon visiting the Ikorodu BRT terminal, our correspondent observed extensive queues forming at all boarding stops, with passengers patiently awaiting the arrival of buses.
Expressing his frustration, a passenger named Sam disclosed that he had been waiting in one of the queues for nearly two hours, yet no bus had appeared.
“Many passengers have left the queue to board yellow buses. You know how those ones take advantage of this type of situation. I heard that they’ve increased their fares because they can see passengers stranded here,” he added.
Asked if he was aware of why BRT buses were not coming, Sam said he was not aware, “and no one has come to address us. We’re just here waiting endlessly.”
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In a phone conversation with The Punch, an employee from Primero TSL, who preferred not to disclose their name due to a lack of authorization to discuss the matter, revealed that drivers employed by the company are currently on strike.
“The strike started yesterday (Saturday). They are on strike because their December pay has not been given to them,” he said.
When inquired about the expected duration of the strike, a Primero employee commented, “The issue might be resolved either tomorrow or even today. I don’t anticipate it dragging on for an extended period.”
Attempts to contact Primero’s Managing Director, Mr. Fola Tinubu, proved unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered and a text message sent remained unresponded to at the time of reporting.
Similarly, an inquiry email sent to Primero’s official email address had not received a reply as of press time.
Efforts to reach Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, were also fruitless.
Calls to her telephone went unanswered, and a text message sent to her remained unacknowledged as of the time of filing this report.