Bus conducting is probably a Nigerian thing and for Nigerians alone. I doubt if other African countries can allow the amount of noise we allow in Nigeria.
Lagos state, being a busy state is noisy. If Lagos is not the worst state in Nigeria with noise pollution, i don't know which state would.
These conductors shout to call destinations, they shout to call bus stop, shout to collect money, shout to give balance.
These set of people are called touts because the way they behave which is barbaric.
I doubt if the interpretation conforms with dictionary meaning but tout is a word no one in Lagos whishes to be associated with.
These people speak in vulgar languages, act like they don't have manners and are very uncultured. They dress so unkept.
Hardly will you see a Lagos conductor who dresses nicely and approachable. They are either topless, showing their dirty boxers or showing you unkept look.
They have a 'toutish' way of greeting if i can create that word. You will wonder where they rehearse those slangs as they sync well when saying them.
They can be regarded as the defects of Lagos state. Some of them even work as road money collectors. These are regarded as transport union 'workers' (their job description is unknown) but they simply collect money from the conductors with nothing to show for it.
They remit to Lagos state government obviously but no account of such spending has been given for once.
Even when we call for government to scrap them, they could not do so. Only Fashola was able to reduce their power during his tenure.
Perhaps, you are already wondering the kind of 'terror' they must be to exhibit all these characters explained above.
Well, it is good you do because it is a nightmare for most of us living here and having to cope with them on a daily basis.
However, without all the mentioned defects, they are very good in calculation. You will be amazed how these people reason when they want to give you your balance.
If they do not have your balance, they know how to ask you to bring certain amount to get certain amount.
Once they tell you that, mostly, you get confused at first wondering if your balance would complete if you do it that way.
If you take your time to do the matchs, you will realise it was a good calculation. This is the amazing part about them.
Share your experience with Lagos conductors. Do you like them, hate them or indifferent about their activities.
Thanks for your time.
