442 Lagos Bus Drivers Take Cocaine — LASG

At least 442 commuter bus drivers in three
motor parks in Lagos State, western Nigeria, have
tested positive for hard drugs, such as cocaine,
marijuana and others and drive under the
influence of these dangerous drugs, the Lagos
State Government has revealed.
Reports from the Lagos State Ministry of Health
revealed that of the 801 bus drivers tested for
hard drugs, 442 of them tested positive for
cocaine, marijuana, morphine, opiate, ketamine
and others.
This represents 55 percent of the total number of
drivers tested and showed an increased intake of
hard drugs by drivers while conveying
passengers on Lagos routes.
The tests were carried out in Mosafejo, Mushin
and Oshodi/Obalende Motor Parks in December
2014.
According to the report made available to
P.M.NEWS, the number of drivers that tested
positive for using hard drugs while driving in
2014 is far higher than the same number
discovered when a similar test was conducted in
2013. In 2013, out of the 434 bus drivers tested
for hard drugs, 74 of them were found to be
driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana
and the rest.
Also, in 2012, of the 820 drivers screened for hard
drug intake, 215 of them tested positive.
Similarly, many of the bus drivers have tested
positive for alcoholic intake while behind the
wheels across the state.
The test conducted in three motor parks in
December 2014 showed that of the 929 drivers
screened, 202 of them tested positive for taking
alcohol while driving.
In 2013, of the 440 commercial bus drivers tested
for alcohol intake, 226 of them tested positive,
representing 51 percent, while in 2012, of the 885
drivers tested, 215 of them were under the
influence of alcohol while driving.
Of the 930 bus drivers screened for diabetes and
hypertension in 2014, at least 220 of them tested
positive. In 2013, of the 576 screened for the
same ailment, 130 of them were positive, while in
2012, at least, 233 of the 959 screened tested
positive for diabetes and hypertension.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr.
Jide Idris, the Motor Park Health and Safety
Programme was an initiative of the Health
Ministry, whose main aim was to reduce the
prevalence of road traffic accidents by ensuring
the safety of the driver, passengers and other
road users.
He said the Motor Park Health and Safety
Programme was flagged off in 2012 following the
high number of deaths due to road traffic
accidents, saying that to date, 1,985 commuter
bus drivers and other transport workers have
been screened.
“It is a multi-sectoral effort with the Ministry of
Transportation as partner. The focus is on
diagnosis and management of hypertension,
diabetes and eye screening in addition to
substance and alcohol abuse among road
transport workers.
“Three motor parks missions were carried out in
the last one year at Mosafejo Motor Park between
8 and 9 December, 2014; Mushin Motor Park
between 10 and 11 December 2014 and Oshodi/
Obalende bus terminus between 15 and 18
December, 2014,” he stated.