Stakeholders in the transport sector have called for a robust welfare package and improved safety measures for Nigerian e-hailing drivers. According to the stakeholders, this will boost the morale and promote self-confidence of the drivers, using the various e-hailing platforms.
They spoke at a roundtable in Lagos organised by inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, which reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to prioritising safety and fair earnings for drivers on its network.
The event marked an important milestone in inDrive’s commitment to enhancing the ride-hailing experience for both its drivers and passengers. It offered a valuable platform for stakeholders to delve into and find solutions for the issues facing Nigeria’s transportation and e-hailing industries.
Speaking at the session, Chief Executive Officer, Primero Transportation Limited, Fola Tinubu, acknowledged that the ride-hailing industry has contributed a lot in revolutionising transportation not only in Nigeria but globally.
Tinubu stated that there is a need for ride-hailing platforms such as inDrive to devise further means of ensuring the safety of its drivers or passengers.
While admitting that the safety services in the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme were different from those of the e-hailing platform, he urged e-hailing platforms to take their cue from the BRT system by deploying monitoring and emergency communication practices using appropriate technology.
Chairman, Amalgamated Union of Application-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos Chapter, Jaiyesimi Azeez, stated that while inDrive needs to continue setting the example in their pricing and commission structures, there is still room for drivers to earn better. This would benefit both drivers and passengers amid the difficult economic conditions.
Azeez disclosed that plans are underway to engage with all the e-hailing platforms to ensure a win-win situation for all stakeholders. Earlier in his remarks, Business Development Representative, inDrive Nigeria, Timothy Oladimeji, stated that the e-hailing service is aware of the challenges confronting users and drivers, and will continue to do more to provide better services.
Oladimeji explained that the company has invested heavily in technology and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to guarantee the safety of drivers as well as passengers. He also stated that the pricing mechanism is informed by different economic indicators that reflect the realities of both passengers and drivers.
Director of the Public Transport and Commuter Services (PTCS) at the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Adebayo Olusoji, commended e-hailing platforms for their transformative role in Nigerian transport. He encouraged inDrive to act on driver and user feedback to improve their services.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by drivers on the e-hailing platform, Adebayo stated the Ministry of Transportation’s commitment to ensuring the safety, security, sanity and standard of transport operations in Lagos State.
He stressed the need for drivers to get accredited at the PTCS, have their vehicles inspected by the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), and get re-certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), in line with the government’s safety requirements for public transport operators.
At the event with the drivers and various affiliated unions in attendance, five top-performing drivers on the platform were recognized and rewarded with an iPhone each. According to Oladimeji, this gesture is in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the platform’s success.
