Shuttle Price Conundrum: LASUITES Await Resolutions From Badecious

By Ayomide Sotubo

Twenty-two days after LASUSU President, Comrade Badmus Uthman Oladapo assuredly revealed to our reporters that the price for shuttle buses will be reversed from the current 50 Naira to 30 Naira after an agreement had been struck with drivers, the only evident change remains that shuttle drivers have refuted any such treaty and that the price remains unchanged.

Make no mistake, the intentions of the 31st President are noble ones. Under the harsh economic conditions that Nigerians live in, cutting down the cost of transportation should be a welcome development. 

Badecious said "The committee that will effect the change has not been appointed by the house, the house has not had their sitting yet and secondly, the shuttle association on campus has already written an appeal letter stating some reasons why they want to maintain 50 Naira. They said they used to buy Engine oil for 3500 Naira and now they're buying for 7500 Naira. A litre of petrol which is supposed to be 145 Naira is now 165 Naira and they have to ensure that their buses are in good condition while they are also affected by the general economic hardship"

 He also said that "The Shuttle association attached a letter that was written to the previous SU administration stating that they want to increase the shuttle fee and they want to maintain it.”

To make such a statement of intent on your inauguration day as President is good to usher in enthusiasm and gusto, but to keep LASUITES believing in these kinds of promises will require the government actually fulfilling them.  

However, to exude such confidence in the possibility of a reversal in price without putting the perspective of the shuttle drivers and their own struggles in view is open for questioning, especially as the drivers have rebelled against a change in price. 

“When we started this shuttle business, we started by charging 5 Naira on this campus and we did that for several years. When things became expensive, the price was increased to 10 Naira and from that to 20 Naira and subsequently 30 Naira. We have had discussions with previous Student Union governments in the past and we have always had a unanimous agreement that if things get more expensive we would increase the shuttle price to 50 Naira because it is not favorable for us. For instance, the oil we buy for 5000 Naira per gallon is now 8000 Naira and we must always service the vehicles at least every 10 days and that is the least so as to maintain the engine of the vehicle. Even vehicle spare parts are now very expensive. some of us here don't go with more than 1000 Naira because after giving the owner of the vehicle his share of the money he has made and then commute to his home some live at Badagry.”

The above statement from Mr. George, one of the shuttle drivers is a fair representation of the unanimous opinion of all shuttle drivers. These drivers are also humans with the responsibility of providing for their families and are of great significance in the school community. 

All concerned stakeholders in the union led by Badecious must now come together to the round table of decision making to resolve these burning issues facing the entire community, chief of which is the safety and security of LASUITES.