By Olasunkanmi Akoni

THERE were indications that the management of Primero Transport Services, operator of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, will pay due compensation to the family of the school boy crushed to death by BRT bus on Monday.

Ezekiel

Tragedy had struck when the driver of Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, crushed the school boy at Ogolonto Bus Stop, along Ikorodu Road area of the state.

The incident subsequently resulted in chaotic traffic gridlock as sympathizers  and passers-by trooped to the scene, amid wailing.

While efforts to speak with the Managing Director of Primero, Mr. Fola Tinubu failed, an official of Primero who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the management had begun investigation into the crash and there was high possibility of compensating the deceased family.

The source said, “The management is saddened over the unfortunate incident and is already working on the possibility of paying compensation to the family of the deceased after completion of due process.

“We have a standing committee that handles compensation in case of death or injuries to victims. The committee members will surely visit the family of the deceased and convey our heartfelt sympathy, as well as express commitment of the company not to abandon them in their time of grief. We have adequate insurance policy that also takes care of such occurrence. This is much I can say for now. You can reach my MD for further comments. But the incident was highly unfortunate and regrettable.”

Tinubu was yet to respond to the Short Message Service, SMS sent to his mobile at press time.

Also efforts to speak with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh were unsuccessful as they were unavailable for comment.

Meantime, Vanguard gathered that some irate members of the public had stormed the headquarters of BRT along Ikorodu to register their protest at the rate of killings of innocent people by their “careless drivers” and the need to compensate the family of the latest victim.

Traditional rulers vow to invoke spirits of ancestors

Worried by the incessant violence and killings in recent times in the area, traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State had declared that they would invoke the spirits of the ancestors on perpetrators of criminal acts in the area.

The monarchs, who also called on the state government and police authorities to deploy more armed security personnel to the axis to stem recurrent cases of violence and killings of residents, expressed concern over the wanton destruction of 48 Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, buses by miscreants along Ikorodu Road, describing the act as “barbaric.”

Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi and Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, who led other traditional rulers in the division, made the remarks, when they paid a sympathy visit to the management of Primero over the loss suffered in the act.