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By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Commercial bus drivers in Lagos State have backed the removal of fuel subsidy.
They spoke after a meeting at the Lagos State Parks and Garages (LASPG).

Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Sulaimon Ojora, who stood in for Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), commended the drivers for showing understanding.

Ojora pledged the passengers would not witness astronomical increases in bus fares.

This, he said, was to cushion effects of the subsidy removal.

“LASPG will not inconvenience passengers. Fuel subsidy is a cankerworm eating deep into our economy and a means of milking the treasury by a few cabals parading themselves as oil marketers. It is pertinent to note the removal will have immediate effects on our lives but will be beneficial in the long run.

“We call this meeting to caution members not to take undue advantage of the situation by arbitrarily increasing bus fares. A seven-man committee has been set up to monitor bus fares across the state,”

Ojora implored bus drivers in other states to take a cue from their colleagues in Lagos by not making bus fares out of reach of passengers.

A bus driver on Ikorodu-Palmgroove route, Adeshina Aroyewun, said removal of subsidy is welcome.

Aroyewun said it would aid growth of the economy.

He said the bus drivers only increased the fare by N100 from Oyingbo to Ikeja.

“Before the removal, from Oyingbo to Ikeja was N400. We charged N500 now which I believe is reasonable. Though some people charged more; we are appealing to them to reduce it to N400. As said by our leader, we do not want to inconvenience passengers,” Aroyewun said.

A driver on Badagry-Mile 2 route, Akintade Abiodun, said drivers only added N200 from Badagry to Mile 2.

“We understand commodities would skyrocket if we increase fares astronomically, hence the need to cushion the effect. Despite charging N1,000 against N800 charged before, some passengers appealed to us to reduce it to N900 or return it to N800. We accepted because we want to support the administration of Bola Tinubu.” (Nation)