LAGOS, Nigeria – Chairman of Lagos State Parks and Garages, LASPG, Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, announced various relief packages aimed at cushioning the impact of the recent petrol subsidy removal on commercial bus drivers and passengers in the state.
The relief measures include a reduction in ticket prices for drivers from N800 to N600, and a 25% reduction in all bookings.
Passengers will see reductions in fares on various routes, with N500 fares cut to N300, and N200 fares down to N150.
Commercial motorcycle (Okada riders) and tricycle (Keke Marwa) operators will also benefit from a 25% reduction in ticket prices purchased from the union.
A task force team, led by state executives, parks’ chairmen, and selected union leaders, will oversee the implementation of these directives, with sanctions promised for any defaulters.
Akinsanya’s announcement aligns with the Lagos State Government’s efforts to mitigate the economic effects of the subsidy removal, and it follows Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s recent announcement of a reduction in bus fares.
Further distancing LASPG from nationwide protests over fuel price increments, Akinsanya stated that over 50,000 agency members would not join the planned protest of the Nigeria Labour Congress’, NLC.
He emphasized the cooperative relationship between LASPG and the Lagos State Government.
He cited the various interventions in the transportation sector as reasons for refusing to participate in any strike or protest that may threaten the state’s peace.
The LASPG’s decision to provide relief in transportation costs offers a significant response to concerns over the petrol subsidy removal’s immediate impact on the cost of living in Lagos.
These measures are intended to alleviate pressure on drivers and commuters, potentially stabilizing a key part of daily life in Nigeria’s most populous city.
Observers will watch closely to see how these measures are implemented and whether they reduce the financial strain on Lagosians.
The situation also highlights the ongoing complexities of the petrol subsidy issue in Nigeria, with different stakeholders taking various approaches to address the challenges posed by the federal government’s decision to remove the subsidy.
The balance between short-term relief efforts and longer-term strategies for energy pricing and transportation infrastructure may continue to shape political and economic discussions in Lagos and across Nigeria in the coming months.
