By PROVIDENCE OBUH

To improve the transport sector, the Lagos State Microfinance Association (LSMA) will assist artisans including the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN).

Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Mrs. Olusola Oworu said this during the inauguration and assessment of the state’s chapter of BCAN.

This is follows the Ministry’s approval to reform the state’s transportation sector. Oworu, represented by Mr Ajayi Adebola of the Ministry said that the newly inaugurated bus conductors will be paying a collective tax through its association.

“We are impressed with the progress made by bus conductors who will be paying a collective tax through its association. Lagos State has gone a step further by registering 11 zonal bodies as a prerequisite for the registration of BCAN.

“The government has said that all jobs in the states must have an association which is in the enterprise law of 1989. The association is a necessity in other to elevate commercial road transportation operation in Lagos state. The emergence of the association came at the right time, Adebola said.

He commended the association for coming out with a model uniform for their registered members, advising them to ensure that the proposed uniform is sent to the relevant ministries at the Lagos state secretariat in Alausa for proper assessment and authorisation.

On his part, the National President of BCAN, Comrade Isreal Adeshola noted that all commuter bus drivers and conductors in Lagos state and other states of the federation would soon begin to wear the new uniforms and badges in line with the provision of the traffic law

“The reason behind the new uniform is to sanitise commercial road transportation in Lagos state and other states of the federation, so that registered operators can express confidence in their job.