Tricycle Operators Set For Showdown With Union

Peace may soon depart from Ipaja-Ayobo in Ipaja-Ayobo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, if urgent steps are not taken to address the impending disaster.

This was the stand of operators of tricycles, popularly called Keke NAPEP, in the LCDA who expressed displeasure over the harsh conditions they face daily in the course of doing business.

An operator who simply identified himself as Usman told P.M.NEWS that all they now do is work for the union with nothing for show for their hard work.

“If I work, should I not do it happily, eat and have something to spare?” he asked.

Checks by P.M.NEWS revealed that operators of Keke NAPEP pay a registration fee of N35,000 to operate on the axis. Aside this, they are only allowed to work between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Further investigations showed that they pay N500 daily to the transport union in the LCDA.

According to Usman, “I collected this Keke NAPED through a microfinance bank at the rate of N320,000 and I have just one year to pay back my loan or I lose ownership of it. But with the manner the union is fleecing us, I doubt whether I shall be able to meet up with the payment,” he stated.

A trip from Church Bus Stop to Command cost N30 per passenger. Four passengers are lifted on every trip, which amounts to N120.

Asked why they have not tabled their grievances to the chairman of the LCDA, they stated that they have done that several times without meaningful response.

“The last time we complained about the charges, they threatened to relocate us to another place where we would have to register afresh,” an aggrieved operator revealed.

—Ufforth Shalom