Lagos Parks Administration cancels daily levy, introduces N20,000 weekly

Lagos State Parks Administration, which emerged from the recently dissolved state branch of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, has abolished payment of daily levy by its members.

The Chairman Caretaker Committee of the parks administration, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Ashade, said members will now pay N20,000 levy weekly.

He also appealed to all the aggrieved members and all tricycle associations affiliated to the union in the state to shield their swords and give peace a chance.

Oba Ashade, the Oniba of Iba, made the appeal at a stakeholder meeting recently held at the union’s office in Akesan, Lagos, noting that it was imperative for all to forgive one another and embrace peace.

He said, “There can be no progress and comfort without peace, hence the need for us to forgive one another, move on and let whatever might have happened in the past be a part of history.

“My main focus is to bring comfort to all members, the government and commuters in Lagos State at large. We will ensure that our members discharge their duties professionally and the burdens of cost of transportation on Lagosians is reduced drastically.”

At the meeting, the chairman announced the N20,000 weekly levy – N18,000 levy and N2,000 running cost – “as against the humongous daily fees members were subjected to in the past.”

He warned all zonal chairmen who collected proceeds last month but refused to remit same to do the needful without further delay, warning that his leadership would not condone any form of misconduct.

He said henceforth, “no member should be removed or chased out of his allocated park; no member or a group of members should forcefully invade,seize or takeover any chapel, Park or zone as the case may be; hands up tips abolished; Abuja levy abolished; daily levies abolished.”

Oba Ashade also said no leader should exploit any members under the pretext of facilitating their promotion to higher status as promotion shall be on merit. He urged aggrieved members to route their displeasure through the zonal chairmen.

“But if the process experienced unnecessary delay, the state chairman’s doors are wide open. Remittance of proceeds is strictly the duty of finance department. No form of financial misconduct shall be treated with kid gloves. Cooperative schemes of the union suspended indefinitely while old (RETEAN) tickets will be on sales for now,” he added.

He thanked the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all stakeholders in the transportation sector for finding him worthy of the appointment, adding that his administration would key into the state government’s THEMES agenda to move the transportation system to the next level.

The chairman also appreciated all members for their overwhelming support.
The meeting was attended by representatives from all branches across the state.