The Nation Newspaper

Tag: LAGBUS

  • LAGBUS loses 7 vehicles in Olusosun dumpsite fire

    The Wednesday morning fire at Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos burnt seven buses belonging to LAGBUS Asset Management Limite, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has learnt.

    A LAGBUS official, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN on Thursday in Lagos that due to the thick smoke still surrounding the area, the company was yet to make further assessment of losses suffered.

    The official said that the firm had moved staff away from the area because of the health implications of the smoky environment.

    According to a NAN correspondent who visited the site, the environment is still very foggy as emergency response teams are seen with nose masks.

    Commuters at the Toll Gate bus stop near the dumpsite were also seen covering their noses with handkerchiefs and seeking quick exit out of the environment.

    Mr Adesina Tiamiyu, the General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), told NAN that there was no casualty in the inferno.

    Tiamiyu said that the emergency response teams, including the Lagos Fire Service and the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), were at the site to curtail the fire.

    NAN reports that the Lagos State Government had said that the Olusosun and other dumpsites would be shut down as part of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

    The government had through an Environmental Utility Firm, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, commenced the construction of the first engineered sanitary landfill in Epe.

    However, the CLI on its website said it was necessary to clarify that the fire at Olusosun dumpsite was not an arson.

    It said that the fire broke out as a result of pockets of unstable gases caused by indiscriminate dumping which was further compounded by the dry weather.

    ”It is important to note that a major aim of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative is to eventually shut down the unsanitary dumpsite at Olusosun.

    ”The government is well aware of the risk of having such a massive, unsafe, and unsanitary landfill so close to residential areas.

    ”This is why under the CLI, three Engineered Landfills in Epe and Ikorodu have been concessioned for construction and maintenance.

    ”We expect for the first to be fully operational by early 2019, although it is already being used as a viable alternative to these dumpsites,” it said. (NAN)

  • Two docked for allegedly assaulting motorist

    Two docked for allegedly assaulting motorist

    Two brothers, Gabriel Sanya,  28, and Michael Sanya, 30, were on Monday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting a motorist.

    The accused, residing at Iju-Ishaga in Agege, near Lagos, are facing a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Ishola, told court that the accused committed the offences on January 8 at Iju Bus Stop in Agege.

    Read also: Motorists groan as fuel queues return to Lagos

    lshola said the accused assaulted one Sunday Akanni, a driver, working with LagBus over a misunderstanding on collecting balance of transport fare.

    “Akanni sustained an eye injury, following a head-butt as well as several punches from the brothers during an argument,” the prosecutor said.

    The offence contravened Section 172 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs A.R. Onilogbo, granted them bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of a two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

    Onilogbo adjourned the case until February 17 for mention.

    NAN

  • Ambode approves fare increase for BRT, LAGBUS

    … New prices take effect March 1

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved fare increase for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), LAGBUS and franchise buses with effect from March 1

    LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Abiodun Dabiri, who addressed journalists at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Monday, said the fare has increased from 20 to 50 percent.

    Dabiri  said with the new development a ride on BRT from Ikorodu to CMS which used to cost N195 is now N300, representing over 65 percent increase, while a trip from Ikorodu to Mile 12, which used to cost N75, has moved to N100, among others.

    “As a result of the economic downturn, public transport had been severely impacted as all related costs had escalated beyond any financial forecast or projection. The current government was focused on a strategic reform of the public transport operations in order to create world class public transport infrastructure and support for operations that is modern, cost effective, safe and sustainable on the long run,” Dabiri said.

    He said the licensing of private sector operators to provide affordable and safe operations was part of this ongoing process.

    The LAMATA boss added: “The current financial crunch, however, has seen average cost of operations increase to up to about 110 percent. With cost of fueling going up by 71 percent, oil prices up by 64 percent, tyre costs up to 90 percent, continued operations is thereby threatened.

    “In view of this, and with government responsibility to avert a collapse of the franchise scheme which currently serves over 500,000 commuters daily, the Lagos State Government had to consider the request of the operators for an upward review of bus fares. It is important to note that current prices on some of these schemes have stayed constant for more than six years for some operators.”

     

  • LAGBUS driver in court over alleged hit and run

    LAGBUS driver in court over alleged hit and run

    A 45-year-old LAGBUS driver, Omoniyi Alugo yesterday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly hitting a 56-year-old woman, causing her internal injury.

    Alugo, who was said to have hit the pedestrian and failed to stop, is facing a three-count charge of reckless driving, causing injury and hit and run.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Philip Osijiale said the accused on August 31 around 6:30pm on Ebute Ero Road, Lagos Island, drove recklessly.

    He said Alugo hit one Olushola Adewuye, causing her internal injury.

    Magistrate Memunat Folami granted the accused N200,000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said that the sureties must be relatives of the accused and must not be below 35 years of age.

    The case has been adjourned till December 1.

  • LAGBUS, stakeholders resolve crisis

    LAGBUS, stakeholders resolve crisis

    LAGBUS Asset Management and stakeholders yesterday said they have brokered truce and resolved the crisis triggered by the announcement of the Lagos State Government, banning LAGBUS operation along Ikorodu corridor that resulted in civil unrest in the state.

    The crisis had on Monday resulted in the assault on over 15 commuters, including drivers of Primero Bus Services, operator of BRT Buses, some of whom are still receiving treatment in an unnamed hospital, while 12 BRT buses were vandalised by miscreants.

    Calm has however returned to the axis and LAGBUS Asset Management, operator of the red buses has resumed normal operation on the route.

    Speaking with journalists in his office in Alausa Central Business District yesterday, LAGBUS General Manager Mr Idowu Oguntona said the management of LAGBUS Asset Management and stakeholders have brokered truce and resolved the crisis.

    According to him, “Despite the various stakeholders’ engagement sessions, our bus captains reacted to the directive on the restriction of movement of LAGBUS branded buses on Ikorodu corridor by boycotting work due to security concerns including potential wrath of passengers and road side miscreants.

    “However, having put in place measures to address the concerns raised, normal operations have since resumed. We apologise for any inconveniences that may have been caused to our esteemed customers and wish to reaffirm our commitment to providing quality service to Lagosians.”

    Oguntona explained that, “performance is a key thing in our organisation to ensure that workers work effectively in order to earn their wages. We earlier anticipated that there might be some impact in the revenue the company will generate but what we have done is to assure all our captains that they will not be worse off and that the company will absolve whatever potential loss that might arise from the change in policy.”

    According to him, government’s responsibility is to create an enabling environment to attract investors, pointing out that what the new directive had done was to create clarity and ensure that the corridor is dedicated for the private operator.

    “This policy will assure potential investors to know that the government has policies and strong in enforcement of such policies. We don’t want to create a situation where policies are created and the necessary enforcement is absent. I believe that the government is committed to creating the enabling environment to attract potential investors that will comply with the policies and regulation of the government,” he said.

    On those arrested during the rampage, Oguntona said: “We have reassured our people and I had a meeting with the security agencies and I can assure you that those that were arrested have been released”.

     

  • LAGBUS operators urge Govt to cancel prohibition

    LAGBUS operators urge Govt to cancel prohibition

    LAGBUS Franchisee Forum operators of high-capacity red buses in Lagos on Monday appealed to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to save their investment from ruin following the government’s prohibition of their services on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.

    The chairman of the forum, Mr Role Odukale made the appealed in a briefing with newsmen in Lagos.

    Odukale, who spoke on behalf  the 17 operators of LAGBUS franchise, said that the development would not only kill their business but also bring hardship to residents of the state.

    “For us, it is the people that will suffer as evident today across bus stops in Lagos. This situation will add to our woe, we will not be able to meet up with our bank obligations because we borrowed money from banks.

    “What this means is that few buses will be available to serve over 20 million residents of the state. It is important to know that about 5, 000 people we engage in our services will lose their jobs. This directive should be reversed.

    “The step taken by the government to restrict red buses will bring monopoly into the system, which can lead to exploitation. Our investment is huge, let the government save our businesses and the people.

    “None of us has less than 20 buses and a depot each, No one has invested less than N300 million. More than N5 billion investments in danger.We have about 1200 buses in this investment.”

    The chairman said that the restriction would also affect foreign investment into the country, adding LAGBUS operations was just like a social services to the people.

    “We started operations since Feb. 2007 and we maintained the same fare up till date in spite of the increase in the price of diesel and maintenance. We also use our buses to carry people free at every
    festive season.

    “We also pay the royalty on every passenger to the state government  in advance, even before picking the passengers. What we are doing is more or less social services,” he said.

    It would be recalled that the state government on Monday commenced restriction of LAGBUS branded buses inside the BRT dedicated corridor along Ikorodu-CMS.

    The government also prohibited LAGBUS from picking and dropping passengers along the Western Avenue as well as onboard ticketing on LAGBUS which led to the suspension of LAGBUS operations across routes.

  • LAGBUS, danfo drivers charged with death of nursing mom, woman

    Two drivers were yesterday arraigned before two magistrate’s courts in Lagos for alleged reckless driving and manslaughter.

    They are Adegbenga Adebayo, a driver with LAGBUS Asset Management Company, and Aderemi Akinlabi, a danfo driver.

    Adebayo was arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrate’s Court for allegedly killing a nursing mother, Mrs Gloria Okafor, 36; Akinlabi was docked before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly causing the death of a 26-year old woman, Damilola Ismail.

    Prosecuting Police Sergeant Ihiehie Lucky said Adebayo, 48, of Igbogbo in Ikorodu committed the offence on July 1 at Ilele Bus Stop, Ketu.

    He said the accident, involving a LAGBUS bus with code: A030 and marked KTU 236 XX, was reported at the Ketu Police Station.

    Lucky said the late Mrs Okafor was crossing the road when the accident occurred.

    “The accident occurred in the early hours of July 1, when the driver, allegedly had a brake failure and knocked-down the deceased.

    “The deceased was rushed to hospital for treatment where she died after two days,’’ Lucky said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bus was impounded and kept at the police station while the body was deposited at the Victoria Island General Hospital Mortuary, for autopsy.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Schedules 19(1), 1(45) and 20 of The Lagos State Road Traffic Law, 2012.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate O. Sule-Amzat granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She ordered the sureties to show evidence of being gainfully employed and adjourned till October 4.

    Akinlabi, 34, also pleaded not guilty to the charged against him.

    Prosecuting Inspector Cousin Adams told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 14 at 4pm along Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute Meta.

    “Akinlabi, a bus driver in charge of a Leyland bus marked KSF 04 XK, is alleged to have been reckless in his driving and knocked-down one Damilola Ismail, now deceased.

    “The offence contravened Section 18 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011,’’ he said.

    Magistrate B.O. Olajuwon granted him a N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the case till August 17, pending the receipt of legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).

  • Passengers groan as LAGBUS drivers protest poor welfare

    Passengers groan as LAGBUS drivers protest poor welfare

    Commuters in Lagos on Friday groaned as drivers of LAGBUS downed tools to protest restrictions preventing them from plying Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lanes in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that tension had been rife since December 2015 when the Ikorodu-Mile 12 BRT corridor was opened and a new operator for the blue buses resumed.

    Some drivers told NAN in separate interviews that the management had failed to address issues relating to the restriction and poor staff welfare.

    When NAN visited the Toll-Gate depot of the LAGBUS on Friday morning, more than 60 drivers had converged at the entrance on its premises.

    Also, the protesting drivers prevented any bus from leaving the premises of the company, while those who returned late to the depot on Thursday were seen parked outside.

    A driver who preferred anonymity said: “our red buses were denied access to use the dedicated lane; and any red bus that plied it was arrested and fined.

    “So, our management asked us to comply with the directive which they said was from the government; we accepted.

    “But only yesterday, Thursday, the restriction was extended from Mile 12 to CMS and we began to experience arrests and harassment by the BRT monitoring task force for using the corridor.

    “Instead, we are being asked to use the service lane which we consider dangerous to our lives because they want us to now compete with yellow-painted buses whose drivers already accuse us of taking all their passengers.

    “So, that’s the reason for the peaceful protest.”

    The driver said apart from posing a security threat, the restriction had defeated the purpose of reducing delays for passengers and exposed drivers to stress.

    He said efforts to have the management of LAGBUS intervene bore no fruit.

    “They refused to act, instead, they told us to comply with the directive,” he said.

    Another source accused the management of paying lip service to welfare issues.

    “As drivers, we earn a salary of between N22, 000 and N42, 000 a month.

    “Our basic salary is actually N22, 000 monthly, but you earn additional N1, 000 for each day you sign in for work, then another N1, 000 if you are lucky to get a bus to drive for the day.

    “We are also given four per cent of our daily revenue, especially when we meet sales target.

    “How can we earn so little each month when our contemporaries working for the blue buses earn as much as N80, 000 monthly without targets?” the source queried.

    Efforts to reach both the managing director of LAGBUS and its spokesperson for reactions proved abortive as calls to their phones did not connect.

    However, a senior staff of LAGBUS who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said the issues would be resolved.

    He said: “It is true that our captains are on strike because of issues concerning the restrictions and management’s inability to carry every staff along.

    “But, I am sure that the issues would be resolved amicably and commuters would begin to enjoy our services once again.”

    Meanwhile, some stranded passengers who spoke to NAN urged the Lagos State Government to intervene in the matter in the interest of commuters and residents of Lagos.

    Miss Caroline Chinedu, a banker, said, “I want to appeal to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to wade into this issue because exposing us (passengers) to the chaotic traffic situation after a hectic day’s would be unfair.

    “The red buses have been life savers, especially during traffic, as they just glide unhindered along the dedicated lane.

    “So, asking them to use the service lane means many of us who work on the Island would arrive home in the dead of the night.”

    Another commuter, Mr. Musiliu Kamoru, a businessman, said: “The drivers and their management should ensure the issues are resolved during the weekend before Monday to reduce passenger hardship.

    “We are still battling with increased transport fare caused by fuel scarcity, and now the LAGBUS issue is rearing its head.”

     

  • LAGBUS offers free ride at ‘Xmas

    LAGBUS offers free ride at ‘Xmas

    The Lagos State Government through LAGBUS and its franchises, said it would provide free bus rides to residents tomorrow to commemorate Christmas.

    A statement by LAGBUS Public Relations Officer Yemi Adesoye, said the move is to promote the use of public transportation, as well as reducing congestion on Lagos roads during the festivities.

    The statement said the free bus rides would cut across parts of the metropolis, within the operational hours of 6am and 10p.m.

    It said the free bus services would ensure that fewer vehicles were on the roads during the period, appealing to motorists not to drink and drive to prevent avoidable accidents, which usually occurred during celebrations.

  • Free bus ride for physically challenged persons

    The Lagos State Government has approved free bus ride on all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and LAGBUS buses across all routes for physically challenged persons.

    A statement signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, on Monday directed that all buses operating under the BRT and LAGBUS Franchise must pick the physically challenged where the services are available in the state for no fee.

    He said the directive takes effect immediately.

    The commissioner also urged Lagosians commuting on the roads to continue to obey traffic laws as well as traffic officers when commuting on the road, especially during the yuletide season.

    “It has become necessary to state this against the background of observed huge traffic gridlock experienced at this festive period.  The situation reflects the disdain of motorists for the traffic laws and officers on the one hand and gross indiscipline exhibited by motorists on the other.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the traffic officers, whether the men of Nigerian Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) or the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASMA) are there to serve us but will view infractions with the eyes of the law.

    “While we wish you all a very happy festival period, we urge you to please ensure that safety is a priority for both passengers and drivers alike.  Please observe all the rudiments of safe commuting by obeying the traffic regulations. We wish you Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year,” Mobereola said.