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Continuous disquiet in NURTW over withdrawal of yellow buses in Lagos

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7 years ago

May 23, 2017

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The fear of being thrown out of job in the transport sector in Lagos over the planned face out of yellow buses in the state has not yet abated among members of the NURTW. National Daily inquiry revealed that whatever the Lagos State Government may do to guarantee the employment of persons in that sector, there are many whose jobs cannot be guaranteed.

Invariably, a segment of the NURTW who do not own or operate buses, the non-drivers, but staff of NURTW, have long developed phobia that they will be thrown out of their means of livelihood.

Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, unfolding the yellow buses policy indicated that the State Government will provide 5,000 new air-conditioned buses to replace the yellow buses to be taken off the roads. Details of how the exchange is to be done is yet to be made public by the government.

ALSO SEE: Ambode insists on removing yellow buses the roads

There are also rising concerns that the proposed 5,000 new buses may be inadequate to replace the yellow buses. A source in the NURTW revealed to National Daily that there are over 119,000 yellow buses registered in Lagos State, noting that the 5,000 new buses are not enough, except the replace is going to be in phases.

Two staff of NURTW, Ikeja branch, Mr. Ahmed, a university graduate; and “Major”, a graduate of a polytechnic, told National Daily that the Lagos State Governor wants to destroy their means of livelihood by withdrawing the yellow buses from the roads. They stated that the NURTW employment helped them to raise money they sued in training themselves in tertiary institutions, lamenting that they have to continue with the job, on graduation, when they could not secure any other employment.

Ahmed disclosed that the NURTW employment further empowered him to build a house, marry a wife and maintain his family. He decried the risk of being thrown into the labour market at this time that cost of living is so high in Nigeria.

Both Ahmed and Major were of the view that their duties should be seen beyond collecting dues from drivers at the park but include providing security and safety for people, essentially, those who come back late from their offices. They made passionate appeals to the governor to consider their plight, and the risk of insecurity the withdrawal of yellow buses may cause in the state.