Lagos—There was pandemonium in Igando yesterday as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW and okada riders clashed leaving several persons injured.
Several motorcycles were also destroyed in the crisis that brought business activities in the area to an abrupt halt.
We gathered that the fight was caused by a hike in levy paid to the NURTW, by the okada riders, from N400 to N1,100.
Commercial motorcyclists stated that they were initially paying N50 for a ticket meant for security and additional N200 booking which allows them ply a particular route on daily basis.
One of the commercial motorcyclists who simply gave his name as Muyiwa said; “All of a sudden, NURTW increased the levy to N500 and additional N200 to ply within Alimosho.
”We pay N1,100 a day. That is if you restrict your movement within Alimosho. If not, we would pay same amount in other areas to the same union members.
”Aside this payment, we are also being harassed by security operatives at nearly all the bus-stops. At the end of the day, we will be left with nothing to take home. Besides, some of us bought these motorbikes on hire purchase.
”So, we decided not to pay the new levy because when we asked they said we are in ‘change’ era.”
Comments
Post a Comment