By Akinwale Kasali

A Pro Yoruba Group under the aegis of Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movement, AYDM, has urged South West State Governors to carry out a comprehensive reform of its Public, Private and Transport Sector in order to meet minimum global standards.

The AYDM said the current transport sector in the six South West states is outdated and primitive, adding that the transport sector in the zone generates about N1billion daily but poor management of transport unions, lack of transparency and corruption continue to stiffle the sector’s potentials.

The Group added that it  regretted that the region now has one of the worst intra and inter state transport quality in Nigeria, conditions of which daily subject commutters to pain, anguish and terror.

AYDM said the region loses close to N50b every month to jungle street tax regime ran by violent-prone transport cartels across the six South West States. It said the South West has moved from luxury inter-state transportation to the remergence of Korope of the 1960s showing a shameful decline in transportion culture with grave consequence on local and national mobility.

The group in a statement signed by its General Secretary Popoola Ajayi said while population of the region continues to leap forward, the quality of the transport system continues to diminish while the private transport sector remains in the hands of dregs, hoodlums and street thugs compounded with the unions’ symbiotic link with violence, drugs and cultism.

AYDM said the Federal Government’s  measures to cushion the effects of the high cost of living and ease the economic hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians will not be effective unless the transport sector is reformed.

It further notes that the recent government initiatives involving discounted fuel prices and other interventions announced through the Ministry of Finance.

 AYDM commended the administration indication that economic reforms must ultimately be measured by their impact on the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

However, the group drew the urgent attention of the governors of the six South-West states to a major obstacle that could undermine these laudable efforts.

The group listed the challenges as the activities of road transport unions at motor parks, garages, bus stops and along major roads, particularly the extortion of commercial motorists and the imposition of multiple, unauthorised and sometimes arbitrary charges.

AYDM therefore called on the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States to take decisive and coordinated action to end illegal collections, intimidation and extortion associated with transport union activities across the region.

“We are concerned that the cumulative burden of daily levies, repeated collections and unofficial charges imposed on commercial drivers contributes significantly to the cost of public transportation. These costs are inevitably passed on to commuters and traders and, ultimately, reflected in the prices of food, agricultural produce and other essential goods and services.

“At a time when the Federal Government is making efforts to reduce transportation costs and improve food affordability, it is unacceptable for citizens to continue bearing additional financial burdens arising from unauthorised collections within the road transport system.

The governors must recognise that reducing the price of fuel alone will not sufficiently lower transportation costs if commercial motorists remain subjected to layers of illegal or duplicative charges at parks, garages, bus stops and on the highways”.

AYDM however challenges the leadership of road transport unions operating across the South-West to demonstrate the public value provided in exchange for the numerous charges collected from commercial drivers.

“These unions do not ordinarily construct public roads, maintain highways, provide public transport infrastructure or develop government-owned motor parks and garages. Such responsibilities principally rest with the relevant public authorities, while transport union operators remain responsible for themselves alone.

“Where union officials collect money from motorists, the public deserves transparency concerning the purpose, legal authority, accountability and destination of those collections. Any charge imposed by government must be properly authorised, transparently administered and paid into the appropriate public revenue channels. Private union dues must equally be lawful, clearly defined and properly accounted for.

“The situation in which motorists allegedly face multiple collections from different individuals or groups, without clear receipts, legal authority or demonstrable services, must not be allowed to continue”.

AYDM therefore urges the South-West governors to audit transport-related levies, identify all authorised charges, abolish illegal collections and prosecute those who engage in extortion, intimidation or violence in accordance with the law.

The statement stressed that the Group recognises and respects the constitutional freedom of association and the right of transport workers to organise themselves into unions and professional associations. We are not opposed to the existence of transport unions as legitimate interest groups.

“Our concern is the manner in which some union activities have extended beyond legitimate representation into the control of public spaces, the collection of unauthorised levies and the alleged harassment of motorists.

“We consequently call on the South-West governors to consider a comprehensive reform that will remove union officials from the routine enforcement of charges and the exercise of coercive control over motor parks, garages, bus stops and public roads.

“Union activities should be restricted to legitimate organisational, welfare, advocacy and administrative functions conducted through properly registered offices and recognised institutional channels. The management of public motor parks, regulation of public transport operations, enforcement of traffic laws and collection of government-approved fees should remain under the control of duly authorised public agencies or properly appointed operators acting within the law.

Where existing laws and arrangements permit legitimate union participation in park management, such arrangements should be reviewed to eliminate conflicts of interest, illegal levies, intimidation and monopolistic practices.

“Any transition must respect due process, workers’ rights and the legitimate interests of transport operators”.

The Group also proposes that the six South-West governors, acting individually and through their regional cooperation mechanisms, should adopt the following measures:

End illegal collections: Direct the relevant agencies to identify and eliminate unauthorised levies, multiple taxation and extortion at motor parks, garages, bus stops and along public roads.

Audit transport charges: Publish an official schedule of all approved transport-related fees, the agencies authorised to collect them and the channels through which payments must be made.

Restore public control: Ensure that public motor parks and transport facilities are managed transparently by government agencies or properly regulated operators, rather than through coercive or unaccountable arrangements.

Protect motorists and commuters: Establish accessible complaint channels through which drivers, traders and passengers can report extortion, harassment and intimidation without fear of reprisals.

Enforce the law: Investigate and prosecute persons found to be collecting illegal levies, using violence or impersonating authorised officials, regardless of their affiliations.

Reform legitimate union operations: Require transport unions to operate transparently, maintain proper accounts, respect the law and concentrate on workers’ welfare, representation and professional development.

Monitor the impact on fares: Work with transport operators and relevant consumer-protection agencies to ensure that reductions in fuel costs and the elimination of illegal levies translate into reasonable transport fares and lower distribution costs for essential goods.

AYDM however warns that without decisive action against illegal transport collections, the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce the cost of living may fail to achieve their full impact at the grassroots.

The statement also said that the reduction in fuel prices or the introduction of transportation subsidies cannot deliver maximum benefits if the savings are absorbed by unauthorised levies and multiple charges imposed on commercial drivers.

It stated that the ultimate victims are commuters, farmers, market women, artisans, small businesses and low-income households who already devote a substantial proportion of their earnings to transportation and basic necessities.

“The South-West Governors must therefore view transport-sector reform as an essential component of their economic and social welfare responsibilities.

“Lowering transportation costs will help improve access to markets, reduce the cost of distributing food and other commodities, support small businesses and strengthen the purchasing power of households.

“This is not merely a dispute between government and transport unions. It is a matter of public interest, economic justice and the protection of citizens from avoidable financial burdens”, the statement reads.