Passengers utilizing the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) faced significant disruption on Sunday due to a strike by drivers from Primero Transport Services Limited. The strike was initiated over the alleged non-payment of December salaries.
At the Ikorodu BRT terminal, our correspondent observed long queues of passengers at all boarding stops, eagerly awaiting buses that were nowhere in sight.
Frustrated commuters were left stranded, and some opted for alternative transportation, including yellow buses, which reportedly took advantage of the situation by increasing fares.
One passenger, identified as Sam, expressed his frustration, stating he had been waiting in a queue for nearly two hours without any sign of a bus. He mentioned rumors of increased fares by alternative operators and highlighted the lack of information about the BRT disruption.
In a telephone conversation with a Primero TSL staffer, who spoke anonymously due to a lack of authorization, it was confirmed that the drivers were on strike since Saturday, citing non-payment of December salaries as the reason. The employee expressed optimism that the matter could be resolved promptly, possibly within the next day.
Efforts to contact Primero’s Managing Director, Mr. Fola Tinubu, were unsuccessful. Calls and a text message to his phone, as well as an inquiry email to the official Primero address, remained unanswered as of the report filing.
Similarly, attempts to reach the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, were unsuccessful. Calls to her telephone line went unanswered, and a text message sent to her had not been replied to at the time of filing this report. The duration and resolution of the strike remain uncertain.
