Osun State: Drivers complain low patronage in Oshogbo

“The faceoff between labour and the Osun State government is affecting commercial activities.”

Intra-city taxi and minibus drivers in Oshogbo are lamenting low patronage, due to the on-going strike by workers in the state, a recent survey has shown. 

A cross-section of the drivers, who spoke in an interview, on Friday, expressed their concern over the two-week old strike.

The Unit Chairman, Oke-Fia Minibus Association, Kamil Adewale, said the strike had drastically reduced the number of commuters.

“Since Monday, Aug. 8, when the strike became effective, majority of the workers have travelled, even those who have permanent abode in Oshogbo stay indoors,” he said. “No driver can boast of daily delivery of N1, 000 now unlike the past when you can make up to N2, 500.”

Adewale appealed to the two sides, labour and the state government, to resolve the minimum wage dispute without further delay.

A taxi driver in Oshogbo, who craved anonymity, condemned the reluctance of the workers to shift ground for the State Government and bring an end to the strike.

He called on the workers to agree with the government’s modalities for the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage, adding that public servants were not the only people that needed government attention in the state.

“If Aregbesola use all the state allocation to pay salary, what happen to our roads and other areas that need attention?” he asked.

Another driver, Sefiu Ajijolade, who plies Abere -Ota-Efun road, lamented that the strike had affected the weekly instalment deposit paid to his dealer.

He appealed to the State Government to answer the workers so that work would resume.

-By Vincent Ehiabhi 

Source: DailyTimes