Daily Independent Online.
*
Friday, June 11, 2004.
Strike: Commercial
activities
still low in Lagos
By Stella Odueme
Reporter, Lagos.
As the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) called strike
entered its second day on Thursday, commercial activities in the
country’s commercial centre, Lagos recorded a gradual rise in tempo as the state that was virtually asleep
on Wednesday, began to get back to life.
Few commercial buses were seen plying major roads in
the metropolis in addition to increased human activities and movement. Market
activities also increased on the second day of the strike called by labour to
protest the federal government-barked increase in the prices of petroleum
products.
Most petrol stations were still locked up as sales of
fuel in black market thrived. At Conoil, Falomo shopping complex at Awolowo
Road in Ikoyi was however seen selling fuel at N39 Thursday afternoon, while
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Kingsway Road Ikoyi, had its
price list reading N40 for petrol, though it was not open for business. Mobile
filling stations along International Airport Road and Ikeja were seen selling
at N41.50 to desperate buyers. It was observed that commercial activities in
Oshodi market were still at low ebb as few shops were opened while street
trading recorded a large turn up. Also few commercial buses were seen plying
the roads with an increase in fares charged. For instance, from Oshodi to Ikeja
that was originally N30 was now N40, while Oshodi to Egbeda cost N50 from N30
that was the usual fare before the strike.
Also at Ikeja commercial activities were low as only
few shops opened for business while few commercial buses were seen plying the
roads.
Meanwhile, operators of Okada dominated the area
charging passengers at very exorbitant rates to convey them to their
destinations. Despite heavy security mounted at various points within the
metropolis, touts used the opportunity to extort money from commercial drivers
for plying some designated routes.
Banks
and government offices were however still under locks on Thursday, while most
private offices were under lock and key.
According to Mr. Rotimi Adesola, a trader at Oshodi
Market praised the efforts of the labour leaders saying the strike had been a
success so far adding that though more people were on the roads than was
witnessed Wednesday, but it was hoped that the purpose for which the strike was
called, would have been achieved at the end of the day. He berated President
Obasanjo for traveling out of the country at such a crucial time like the
nation was experiencing and appealed to the marketers to revert to the old rate
as directed by the court ruling.
Also, Mr. Victor Akpo, admitted that the strike was
worth it, though few commercial activities were recorded on the second day of
the nationwide strike. Justifying the presence of commercial buses on the road
he said that the drivers usually depended on whatever they earned on a daily
bases to survive.
According a Danfo driver who spoke under the
condition of anonymity, most of his colleagues had to work for little while to
keep body and soul together, adding that they were fully in support of the
strike.
