1,000 Workers Retrenched as Lagos Terminates NURTW-BRT Franchise

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Lagos State Government has terminated the franchise it issued to the National Union of Road Transport Workers to operate a Bus Rapid Transit scheme between Mile 12 and CMS corridor of the state.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, explained that the step was taken because of non-compliance with operational plans stipulated in the franchise by the First BRT Cooperative (FBC), owned by the NURTW.

He said, “The termination of the franchise agreement with the operator is sequel to breaches of the BRT Service Level Agreement (SLA) it signed with the state government. We have been talking with FBC for years to ensure the SLA was adhered to, all to no avail.

“Though the SLA requires a one-month notice prior to its termination, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, custodian of the agreement, gave a three-month notice, which the operator failed to honour.

“This has led to incessant complaints by members of the public over poor services provided by the operator and the deployment of vehicles not safe for use.

“The failure of the FBC to comply with the terms of the franchise agreement has led to passengers experiencing poor service quality typified by extensive waiting time and having to endure use of dilapidated and unsafe buses.”

NURTW, however, in a letter addressed to the governor that the action could lead to the loss of jobs for 1,000 workers involved in the BRT operation.

The letter signed by the NURTW state Chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Agbede read “Sir, we are pleading for your understanding on this situation. We are ready to work with other operators on that corridor for the benefit of Lagos commuters.”

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