LAGBUS Asset Management Company, operators of Lagos metropolitan red buses, on Sunday said that it was ready to engage more females as drivers in its fleet.

The Managing Director of LAGBUS, Mr. Babatunde Disu gave this indication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Disu noted that female drivers were more caring and careful, adding that being gender sensitive, would facilitate the realisation of the mandate of the company.

“We are interested in getting more female drivers because they take good care of our buses and are more careful on the roads. We want more of them to come into the system; we are calling on those who are interested to apply,” he stated.

Disu also said that the company was ready to train any lady or woman, who was interested in driving the metropolitan buses.

He said that successful ones would be certified by the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) before a bus would be allocated them.

Meanwhile, one of the female bus drivers, Rose Joseph, a mother of two, has urged passenger to see them as a professional and always encourage them.

“Area boys and men in uniform harass us, sometimes at non-designated bus stops, sometimes when we are trying to help passengers. Although its challenging, but you need to be focused and determined; the management even gave some considerations to women.”

Mrs. Abimbola Agbekola, an accountant and a graduate from University of Lagos, also a driver, urged females to join the programme and make living from it, adding that: “What a man can do, a woman can do better.”

Agbekola said driving articulated vehicles, such as the LAGBUS, was a way of empowering the female gender.

“My husband saw the advert in a road show rganized by the management, and he told me when he got back home, and advised me to apply because he knows I have passion for driving.

“You may not have driving skill but management of LAGBUS will train you and you will be certified by LASDRI.

“I have passion for it, so I do not listen to what the passengers say, but try to be focused.

“This is an opportunity for female gender to empower themselves and make life better, instead of waiting for their husband to do everything for them,” she said. (NAN)

•Photo shows a female LAGBUS driver at work.