One of the operators of mass transit buses in Lagos, LAGBUS Management Limited, says it has grounded over 220 buses for the purpose of overhauling them. The Maintenance Manager of the company, Sola Oni, said the company had grounded about 220 buses in the various depots across the state for overhaul. She spoke this during a training programme for maintenance personnel of the company, which was held under the theme: ‘Achieving sustainability through preventive maintenance.
“The buses you see grounded at our various depots are being overhauled. Presently, we are overhauling 220 buses and it is a massive exercise. If you go to our depots at Bolade, Tollgate, Keffi and Ikorodu, you will find buses at various stages of preparation,” she said. Oni lamented the dearth of spare parts for the buses as well as the slow pace at which they were being cleared at the ports. “We have challenges of spare parts. You know we do not produce spare parts here in Nigeria and we have to rely on the ones coming in from abroad and that can take time because when it even arrives, there is a period of time it takes to clear at the ports,” she said. Speaking on the importance of the programme, she said the programme was not just a corrective measure but also a preventive one.
She said at least 50 maintenance employees were being trained for better performance. “This particular training involves the mechanics, workshop assistants and service advisers. Electricians and vulcanisers will be trained separately,” she said. Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Babatunde Disu, has said the company may increase its transport fares in the near future. He said the company deserved to increase its fares but was still working out certain modalities since the scheme was not for profit making alone. He said, “We do deserve an increment in price but we noticed that if we do that, it would also affect the price of tomato. You would not believe the effect it would create if we increase our fares. Also, molues, other buses and trucks conveying vegetables would want to increase their fares.
“So, it is a whole gamut of things that we need to recognise but we are managing it as it is but I am not promising that we are not going to increase our fares. I cannot tell if we are going to increase soon.”