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...The Edo Civil Society Organisations' Mass Transport Scheme experience
The high rate of certain goods and services can be traced to the different market cartels in the name of union or association. These unions and associations have different layers, ranging from the raw material supplies, manufacturers, middlemen to the distributors from where end users can access them.
The price and fees paid by citizens are not the true value for the goods or services but the one fixed by the market cartel. New entrants into some kind of businesses or service provision are faced with resistance by the managers of the cartels and in some cases, new entrants are frustrated and not allowed to operate. Such new entrants are unable to get protection from the law enforcement agencies or the government. These cartels are so powerful that they can threaten manufacturers of boycott of their goods if they (manufacturers) refuse to follow their market price dictate.
Let me use the transportation sector as an example. There are two major unions in the sector being supported by Nigerian government. The Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Commercial drivers are coerced to be members of these two unions and daily dues are forcefully taken from them. In Edo state for instance, the state government collects the daily dues on behalf of the two aforementioned unions. It is a constitutional fact that, membership of any association is voluntary.
When Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) in collaboration with a private entity saw the need to assuage the sufferings of the masses owing to the unrestricted and uncontrolled fare regimes by the managers of the aforementioned unions in Edo state launched a mass transportation scheme with two buses. The buses started operation with a 50% reduction from what other commercial buses were collecting even on a farther distance.
There are other unwholesome practices by other commercial buses which makes fares to fluctuate depending on certain circumstances like when there is rainfall, traffic or high demand for service at peak periods. When these occurs, fares are jacked up at times up to 200% increment.
The EDOCSO buses which is nicknamed 'Masses' Bus' came to the rescue, however with so much resistance from those that have controlled the sector for a long time while the masses suffer. At different occasions, the Masses' Bus drivers have been attacked and wounded by members of the organised unions and vehicles destroyed. In some instances, the drivers were prevented from working. In making the issue worse was when officials of Oredo Local Government Council under the leadership of erstwhile chairman, Jenkins Evbareke Osunde joined in the fight against the operation of the Masses' Buses.
This was a battle for the activists to contend with. The unions on one hand and the local government council on the other hand. It became clearer that, those that want the masses to suffer have collaborative synergy in resisting anything that comes their way. It was a test of resilience and tenacity for the activists to further prove their passion in protecting the masses against oppression and extortion.
It was a running battle that saw the activists triumphing over the oppositions that never wanted the scheme to gain root. Today, the scheme have not only gained roots but has affected the masses positively and proven that life can be enjoyed by all as freeborn of the country.
Since the inauguration of the scheme, I has put in place certain programmes that have further made life easier for the masses. For instance, in 2019 'ember' months, the fare was dropped from N100 to N80. Not only that, a five trip earns a free trip all through the festive period. This was done in a period transport fares are usually in the increase due to high patronage. Currently, the scheme is giving gifts to every passenger that uses its service ten times as appreciation for their support. The drivers of the scheme are activists who have respect for passengers and teach passengers about their rights and obligations as citizens as they take passengers to their destinations.
There are unions and associations of almost every commodity or service in Edo state. Tomatoes, bread, cement, sands, sachet water etc all have their unions. Some of these unions are powerful due to government support and patronage as they have political usefulness to the political gladiators as they also serve as political mobilization platforms.
The chain of man inhumanity to man can be broken if only we desire to be free following the EDOCSO model.
Osazee Edigin AICMC.
* Managing Director, Globakey Investment Limited
* Coordinator, Action for Socio-political and Economic Change (ASEC)
*A two time Public Relations Officer of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)
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