Commuter Drivers Task LASG On Activities Of Touts
August 25, 2009 14:55 (7 hours ago), 8 views

An appeal has been sent to the Lagos State Government and the Police Commissioner, Lagos State, on the need to stop the activities of motor park touts popularly called Agbero, over their extortion and undue harassment of commuter bus drivers.

Some of the drivers who spoke with Lagos Bulletin said that the tolls the touts collect from them daily are too exorbitant, adding that if their activities are not checked, it may lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

A driver in Bariga, who identified himself as Adewale, lamented the level at which money is being collected from them, adding that if they refused to pay, the touts would damage their vehicles.

“I think it is high time the government waged war against these people, who forcefully collect N1,500 from each bus driver in the morning and another N50 per trip all through the day.

“Apart from that, in the afternoon, we also pay another N200. How much do we gain or make daily?” he asked rhetorically.

Investigation by Lagos Bulletin revealed that the extortions are even worse along the expressway.

It was gathered that since the commuter buses had been restricted to service lanes, the touts now plant themselves at every bus stop along the expressway.

In a journey from Mile 12 to Jibowu in Yaba, every commuter bus that picks passengers is made to cough out N100, while the ones that did not get any passengers to pick are let off the hook after paying N50.

At the end of a non-stop journey, a bus that did not pick any passenger would have been made to pay N400, while those that picked passengers would have parted with between N800 and N1,000.

Another driver said that since their restriction to service lane, the greater part of what they make daily goes to touts and vehicle owners.

He therefore appealed to the state government to set up a task force that would stop the activities of the Agbero who have made themselves kings of Lagos roads.

The driver also stated that the high transportation fare in the state was due to the activities of touts and that if they could be dislodged from Lagos roads, transport fares would come down.

http://thepmnews.com/2009/08/25/commuter-drivers-task-lasg-on-activities-of-touts