Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), to intervene in crisis with the Lagos State Government which they say is threatening to cripple their businesses.
President and Chairman of Ifesinachi Group of Companies, Prince Emeka Mamah, who led the delegation to Osinbajo Monday night, alleged that the policies of Akinwunmi Ambode led Lagos State government, has led to hostile business climate in the city.
“We have been assured that he is going to step into it. We believe that he is going to do this for us. We have the confidence in APC government, we are believing in the Vice President and we know that he is going to ensure that our problems will be resolved.
“No time frame was mentioned but I believe that from the way he spoke, I believe it is going to happen soonest.”
Mamah, has earlier said the group was seeking the intervention of Vice President Osinbajo, because the 2017 executive order by the Lagos State government directing all transporters on the Ikorodu corridor to relocate to Ojota, was crippling their businesses as the new location cannot accommodate 10 percent of their businesses.
They also said the new location, lacks access to spare parts and workshops, road and the cost implication of a slot at the bus terminal was too high.
“All letters written to have audience with His Excellency, Governor or Akibwunmi Ambode proved abortive. This is so notwithstanding our massive support during the 2015 election that brought him to power.
“It is indisputable, even by the Management of this Ojota Bus Terminal, that the space provided cannot accommodate 10% of our members, as some members such as Young Shall Grow Motor (Nig) Ltd, G. U. Okeke & Sons Motor (Nig) Ltd, Chisco Transport (Nig) Ltd, Peace Mass Transit (Nig) Ltd, God is Good Motor (Nig) Ltd, E. Ekeson & Bros Motor Ltd, to mention but a few, operations not less than 1,000,600,500,400,300 mini buses.
“Again, our assessment reveals that the facilities at the terminal failed the mandatory requirement of what a bus terminal looks like due to inaccessibility of spare parts and workshops, road and the cost implication of a slot at the bus terminal.”
Mamah said all efforts by the business owners to meet with Ambode to resolve the problem has not been successful.
“Our members are not against the government policy plan of making Lagos State a mega city neither are we against moving to Ojota Bus Terminal, but looking at the massive investment already made at our private parks. We appeal that the government should allow us operate in our in our individual parks. We believe in one United Nigeria and are no -tribalistic business sector.”
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