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By Wagom Ori (Lagos)
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state Governor
The negative impact of the much dreaded corona virus disease pandemic on the Nigerian economy may have started manifesting as challenges of logistics resulting from it may force the Lagos state Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to stop operation come May 25th
According to a reliable source privy to the mass transit company run by Primero Transport Services Ltd, the company is running out of diesel and other essential materials needed to keep business moving.
“Primero is planning to withdraw all its buses from the road from May 25. The company is running out of diesel.
“Suppliers have not been supplying diesel fully because the firm owes them. The company is currently running at a loss.
“Primero will run out of the supply of diesel and other supplies by Monday. So it is not likely the buses will run,” the source re-stated.
Before this time, there have been growing complains among users of BRT over the shortage of buses since the current lockdown was relaxed.
In addition, there is News Agency of Nigeria NAN’s report of shortage of BRT buses across various routes, presence of lengthy queues and emergence of longer waiting time for BRT at their various stations Lagos.
Earlier on May 15, the managing Director of Primero, Mr Fola Tinubu said: “the way we are operating now is as if we are just running a social service for the people.
“Twenty passengers in the bus on the same old fare is not sustainable. We are piling up losses that we need to address urgently.
“Creditors are calling us. We need to address that urgently. The way it is right now is not sustainable.
“That was why we have limited buses on the roads. Every bus that is going up and down now is incurring so much loss.”
It could be recalled that in a bid to keep social distancing in effort to contain the deadly Corona Virus, Lagos State Government had directed the 70-capacity buses to carry only 21 passengers.
If the company eventually stops operation come May 25, transportation for Lagos state residents will be nightmare are over 59% rely on BRT to move around..
Effort to confirm this likelihood of halting operation on May 25th with the company management before publishing this story failed as the calls to the MD could not be answered.
