- LAGRIDE MANAGEMENT ISSUES WARNINGS TO DRIVERS
- IWINDOYE RESPONDS TO THE MANAGEMENT
Drivers of LagRide, a government-supported ride-hailing platform, have announced plans to boycott services in response to threats from the platform’s operators to involve the Lagos State Task Force in their arrest over alleged misconduct.
Mr. Steven Iwindoye, the Public Relations Officer for the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, made this announcement in Ikeja on Thursday.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, LagRide management has accused drivers of discouraging riders from using the LagRide app and promoting competing services like InDrive and Bolt.
In a notice sent to drivers, management claimed that some drivers were refusing trips without valid reasons and were accepting cash payments instead of processing fares through the app.
LAGRIDE MANAGEMENT ISSUES WARNINGS TO DRIVERS
LagRide management labeled these actions as policy violations and sabotage. To ensure compliance, they warned that officials from the Lagos State Task Force and regulators would monitor and arrest drivers who did not adhere to the platform’s rules.
“Non-compliant captains (drivers) will face strict disciplinary measures, including possible arrest, impoundment of vehicles, and legal action,” the notice stated.
IWINDOYE RESPONDS TO THE MANAGEMENT
However, Iwindoye cautioned LagRide management against impounding vehicles and arresting drivers, warning that such actions would only exacerbate tensions.
“The government’s failure to address our concerns may lead to protests and strike action, including shutting down LagRide,” he said.
Iwindoye explained that drivers had resorted to offline negotiations and cash payments because LagRide had disabled the cash option in the app. He alleged that this was a tactic to force drivers to remit their earnings and receive payments on a weekly basis.
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He criticized this arrangement, stating that despite multiple levies imposed by CIG Motors, the company does not cover vehicle maintenance or repairs. These levies include insurance, communication, dashcam, and phone charges.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), CIG Motors Co., Ltd is a Chinese state-owned automaker of GAC Motors.
LagRide, initially a partnership between the Lagos State Government and Zenolynk Technology Ltd, the original app developer, is now controlled by CIG Motors Co., Ltd.
CIG Motors assumed management of LagRide after the Lagos government’s partnership with Zenolynk ended in March. Following this transition, CIG Motors launched a new app after the original developer reportedly discontinued the previous one.
However, just a month into operation, LagRide is facing a significant crisis, with drivers continuing their boycott and demanding urgent action on various app-related issues.
