Ambode And Challenge of The Agberos

AKINWUNMI AMBODE, GOV-ELECT, LAGOS STATE

The governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, surely has a whole lot of challenges to face and many ‘battle’to fight as he prepares to wear the ‘big shoes’ of the outgoing Gov. Babatunde Fashola, who is stepping out of office in a couple of weeks.

Having rode on the back of Fashola’s remarkable achievements and popularity, and with the strong support of former Governor Bola Tinubu, Ambode owes Lagosians the great duty not only to surpass Fashola’s feat, but to also right the perceived wrongs of his administration.

There is no need to chronicle these achievements as that has been done severally by many commentators. But one area that Fashola, and indeed his predecessor Tinubu, failed to address is the problem of miscreants popularly known as ‘agberos’ at virtually all motor parks and bus stops across the state.

 

TINUBU AND FASHOLA

While Tinubu condoned them, Fashola simply chickened out of containing them. The problem remains a big dent on the corporate image of the ‘New Lagos’ and is considered a major drawback on the entire campaign of ‘The Spirit of Lagos’ where citizens are being urged to acquire civilised attitude and adopt new ways of behaviours.

Many see this indulgence as a major undoing of the AC/ACN/APC government and Ambode will have to take a critical look at the problem and address it as a matter of urgency as soon as he takes the mantle of leadership on May 29.

It will not be a hyperbole to state that most residents in Lagos daily live with the frustration and the nonchalant disposition of the government to addressing the threat pose by these social miscreants to the well being of Lagosians and the state at large. From park to park and from one bus stop to another, the agberos collect all kinds of fees from hapless commercial bus drivers, okada riders and tricycle operators.

The ‘fees’ range from ‘booking fee,’ ‘loading fee,’ ‘dropping fee,’ ‘security fee,’ to‘sanitation fees’, and ‘chairman’s meal’. It also includes the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) levy’ and‘police toll’, the list is endless. The annoying aspect is that the drivers pay some of the illegal fees on the morning, noon, afternoon and night shifts.

Any reluctant driver or conductor who fails to part with the fees usually gets the beating of his life from the drug-driven bad boys. Bodily injuries are inflicted on the ‘stubborn’ drivers even after they are made to still pay the illegal fees! In some cases, they vandalise the vehicles of reluctant drivers by removing the wipers, fuel tank cover, engine covers and other vital parts they can lay their hands on.

The agberos operate like a second government or simply put, a parallel administration in Lagos state. They act with impunity and most times get away with their atrocities. Since they also provide the machinery with which the Police and the LASTMA officials collect their tolls, they are practically above the law.

Hence, the aggrieved drivers know too well that it is a sheer waste of time to report agberos to the police. Even when arrested, it is only a matter of hours before they are ‘bailed out’ by the almighty ‘chairman’, who settles the police regularly.

Consequently, they are aggressive, combatant in nature and ever ready to unleash mayhem at the slightest provocation. In most cases, they dictate the transport fare against the wish of the commercial driver, which is usually on the high side; thereby forcing potential passengers to seek alternatives and delaying the trip in return.

Once the hapless driver obeys their command, which logically translates to high charges or commission for the agberos, the cost is then transferred to the commuters!

 

STRANDED LAGOS COMMUTERS ON LAGOS ABEOKUTA EXPRESSWAY

Findings show that these miscreants have their leaders who fix them at various bus stops and expect returns later in the day. They are given high targets to meet and any failure in this respect (to deliver the pre-determined amount) means troubles that could even lead to loss of jobs. So the ‘field worker’ naturally employs every means possible to extract the fees from the drivers to keep his job.

There is virtually no bus stop or motor park in Lagos that these guys are not stationed. From Iyana-Ipaja to Oshodi, from Obalende to Ajah-lekki, CMS to Mile-2, from Ikotun to Isolo, Mushin to Idumota, Ikorodu to Oyingbo and Orile to Badagry, the fear of agbero is the beginning of wisdom for commercial vehicle operators and commuters alike.

The side effect of the activities of the ubiquitous agberos on the Lagos economy cannot be quantified. Revenues that are to accrue to the government end up in private pockets. The high cost of transportation in the state is largely due to their activities.

 

By extension, traders add the cost on their wares, just as companies, whose trucks are heavily ‘taxed’ by the miscreants, equally pass on the burden to citizens.

But how did these miscreants get so powerful and seem invincible in the face of the law and a government that had spent so much on the security? Is it that the government does not consider them a security threat, or could it be that authorities deliberately allow them free reign for selfish political motive as it is being insinuated in some quarters?

Observers are of the opinion that as long as law enforcement agencies, especially the police, collaborate with the agberos, their activities will continue unchecked. The allegation that some policemen employ the services of the miscreants at bus stops to extort money from drivers is a case in point.

Officials of the LASTMA are also complicit in this regard. For the avoidance of doubt, one can take an observatory mission to Oshodi at the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) Park to confirm the ‘cordial and mutual’ relationship between LASTMA officials and the miscreants.

The free reign of the agberos to some extent can be traced to the power brokers in the state,especially the ruling party. It is has been alleged rightly or wrongly that the agberos and their leaders constitute a major support base for the government.

That is why many conclude that the problem of agbero may never get addressed.Little wonder that the politicians never cited the curbing of their activities as a campaign promise.

Hence, Ambode must summon the necessary political will to address the problem once and for all. Although this may be difficult and seem impossible, the interest of Lagosians, who gave Ambode the mandate, must propel him to do the needful.

If that is the only thing he will achieve in his first 100 days in office, Lagosians will not forget him. Honestly, if the governor-elect had witnessed any scene where the agberos descended on innocent commercial vehicle operators, or where commuters get stranded as a result of high fares dictated by miscreants; or at least endeavour to quantify the revenue loss to the government due to their activities, he definitely will not hesitate to take action.

Unlike the military government that choked them (Kudos to Colonel Buba Marwa’s Operation Sweep), Tinubu, unfortunately gave them a lease of life and Fashola allowed them free reign. Ambode must therefore put them where they belong. He made a lot of promises during the campaigns and one of them is youth empowerment.

Our incoming governor can design a plan of action to take these miscreants off the roads, get them trained in skilled works and provide them with start-ups to begin a new life. Gov. Fashola actually embarked on a similar venture at the beginning of his administration in 2007 but soon slowed down and backed off.

Ambode must, however be circumspect in going about it as there would be serious resistance and fightback. He must also be wary of saboteurs within the government.

 For instance, I once boarded a bus with a LASTMA officer in 2011 and I overheard him on phone, pre-informing the agberos of an on-going operation by the state task force that will get them arrested! With such an official in the system, Ambode must surely be careful and tactical.

Lagosians are looking forward to a Lagos that is ‘safe and secure for all’. In line with the slogan of Change Revolution across the country, Lagos cannot afford to have the change terminated by the continuous presence of the agberos on our roads. Ambode, when you sought the votes of Lagosians, you promised to treasure it. You also promised to make life more meaningful and comfortable for them.

In one of your campaign billboards you were pictured folding your sleeves saying ‘Ready to Serve.’ Lagosians trusted you and gave you their votes; you are now expected to hit the ground running.

Ambode, as your name implies, you have arrived, now it’s the time to act. Please do the needful!

Lagos is working, Lagosians are waiting.