Working Lives

Working Lives: The Civil Servant Who Has To Carry Passengers To Fuel His Car

Working Lives: The Civil Servant Who Has To Carry Passengers To Fuel His Car

I am not a full-time commercial driver, I won’t call myself a commercial driver because it’s not my full-time job, I only do this to fuel my car. Instead of me sitting alone in my car burning the same amount of fuel, why not monetize my trip by picking up passengers? This way my spending on fuel will not come from my salary. The only expenses will be my regular car maintenance.

What is your name?

My name is Adegboyega Ajibade and I am from Ijebu in Ogun State.

Tell us about your family.

I am married to a beautiful and wonderful woman who works with Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS). We have been married for almost twenty-five years and we are blessed with four marvelous children. Two of my kids are studying at Olabisi Onabanjo University, my third child is currently seeking admission and my fourth child is in Secondary school.

Tell us about your educational background.

I went to St Stephen Primary School and Eko Boys High School before proceeding to Olabisi Onabanjo University to study Urban and Regional Planning.  

How did you get into the civil service?

I had always known I would get a government job when I graduated from school. My late father worked with the Lagos State Government as a senior driver in the ministry of works. After NYSC I came to Lagos in search of a job. While my father was alive, I would follow him to his workplace where he would introduce me to his colleagues as his son who is a graduate and in search of a job. When it was time for recruitment, I got the information early, I was told to bring the necessary documentation and I got a job offer within a short period. So, I can say my father’s connection got me the job.

Which department do you work in?

I work with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Ikorodu Woman Who Does Not Want to Retire from Teaching

How long have you been in the civil service?

I have been working as a civil servant for more than 15 years. 

What prompted you to use your car for commercial purposes i.e., driving passengers to their destinations in exchange for money?

Before I got in my car, I used to follow the staff bus home. But most times the staff bus seats are always occupied before I get there and the next alternative is to stand through the ride or board a cab. Cab fares are always fluctuating and at times it is usually difficult to get a cab going to Ikorodu. I got motivated to get a car for myself while standing in the queue one day, I said to myself that I can take a loan from the bank and buy a sienna to pick up passengers and save myself the stress of queuing and also get an extra source of income. A few months later I got my car and I have been using it to carry passengers whose destination matches mine.

Which location(s) do you ply?

I drive passengers from Alausa to Ikorodu garage, and after dropping them off, I will pick up other passengers at Sabo in Ikorodu going to Adamo because that is where I live.

How much do you charge for these location(s)?

The fixed fare for Alausa to Ikorodu is N300 per person and from Sabo to Adamo is N200 per person and my car can convey 7 people.

Do you work as a commercial driver daily? What time do you resume?

I am not a commercial driver, I only do this anytime I am coming to the office, I will carry passengers in the morning while coming to work and also when I close for the day.

How many hours do you work as a commercial driver?

I am not a full-time commercial driver, I won’t call myself a commercial driver because it’s not my full-time job, I only do this to fuel my car. Instead of me sitting alone in my car burning the same amount of fuel, why not monetize my trip by picking up passengers? This way my spending on fuel will not come from my salary. The only expenses will be my regular car maintenance.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Ikorodu Woman Who Does Not Want to Retire from Teaching

On average, how much do you earn daily?

I make N7000 daily on each trip, I make N3500. This is more than enough to cover my fuel expenses for that day.

If tables were turned, would you rather not use your car for commercial purposes?

I will still use it, nobody ever gets tired of money, we are all working because of money, and the loan I took from the bank is still being deducted from my salary. If I am not doing this, I can’t think of how I would cope with this harsh economy.

People argue that civil servants are not paid well, hence, the few ones who own cars use their cars for commercial purposes to earn more money. What is your take on that?

No government can satisfy everybody, some of my colleagues preferred the Ambode regime to this present one. Ambode created job opportunities and also increased salaries but each person coming into power always comes with his term and conditions. We are being paid well but the amount you earn as a civil servant also depends on the level you are in your department. A cleaner can never earn as much as the head of the department. This is why some low and medium-level workers use their cars for public transport to cut minor costs such as fuel. One of the advantages of working as a civil servant is that you can get loans from banks. Once banks know that you work with Lagos State government and you have a salary account with them you can take a loan and think of a business you can do with it. Some of my colleagues sell clothes and other things just to assist themselves.

In your opinion, how can the government make civil service more rewarding?

The government should provide more buses, most people working at the secretariats come from Ikorodu. The government providing more buses will make it easier for civil servants to commute to work. Secondly, salary increments should be a yearly thing, the increment should not be based on the Oga’s alone, and everybody should be entitled to it. The government should pay gratuity on time after retirement. All this should be put in place because when I retire I don’t have my sweat to be delayed. 

What are your retirement plans?

I am already planning for my retirement because I have a few years remaining, I have a pig farm in my area at Adamo, and pig rearing is a good business so I want to focus more on it when I retire.

Obande Friday

Friday is a Mass Communication graduate of The Polytechnic of Ibadan. He has four years of content development experience. He loves lifting weights in his spare time.

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