There was mild drama in Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland, over the weekend as commuters of Bus Rapid Response (BRT) stormed the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Shotobi to protest against poor services.
The residents under the aegis of the Concerned Primero Commuters complained of the poor condition of services provided by the operator of the BRT franchise in Lagos State, Primero Transport Services Limited.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The protesters argued that the protest was based on the agonizing pains and struggles in boarding buses, insults experienced in hands of the Primero staff members and other unethical behaviours often experienced at all of the transport company’s terminals in Ikorodu.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Adeyemi Sarumi said: “The purpose of visiting the Ayangbure palace is that we are having some challenges with Primero and that is why we have come here. Our requests are well itemized in our protest letter and we want better services from the transport company.
“We formed this association based on the fact that we meet at the BRT terminal almost every day and we do interact. Most of us know one another very well and that is how we now came together to form the association. I am very happy with Ayangbure’s decision and I believe with that, there will be a change.”
Salami further enjoined Oba Shotobi to intervene in the matter before it gets out of hands.
Reacting to the protest, the General Manager of Primero Transport Services, Mr Segun Anakoro, described the development as a process meant to allow the company improve on its services to the public. “The complaint by the concerned commuters is an opportunity for us to improve on our services. You can not be a service company and you don’t take your customers seriously, very soon, you will be out of business,” he said.
He added that: “All their issues were tabulated and we have noted them. The Kabiesi has given us the grace till September to go and sort things out for the betterment of the people of Ikorodu.
“We want to assure the commuters that we are always there for them, we will continue to listen to them and we promise they will see some changes soon”.
