App-Based Drivers Urge Lagos Gov’t To Regulate Bolt, Uber, Others

Drivers under the umbrella of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) have called on the Lagos State Government to regulate the activities of online transport businesses in the state.

The South-West zonal chairman of AUATON, Kolawole Aina, made the call in an interview, stating that the decision to be regulated was collectively agreed upon by its members.

Aina noted that the agreement was centred around the need to regulate the activities of its members and safeguard their welfare.

He said the call for regulation indicates that the policies of platforms like Uber, Bolt, and InDrive, among others, have not been favourable to the drivers.

Aina highlighted that the document put together for the state seeks to address low pricing, high commission, and the activation and deactivation of drivers at will by these app-based companies, amongst others.

He further pointed out that before the establishment of AUATON in 2023, there had been agitation among drivers with numerous app-based companies accusing them of ill treatment.

“As a union, we saw the problems, created solutions and presented the solutions to government. It was accepted by the Federal Ministries of Transport and Labour, but the Lagos State government did not give us a listening ear.

“The document, which we call the collective agreement, is about how the government, app-based companies, drivers, and riders can have a fair share of responsibilities in the industry.

“It will be a system where each ride can be monitored by all the four communities, and each community can mutually benefit.

“The issues of insurance and security have become very important. I cannot remember the number of drivers that have died on the job this year alone or lost properties to their customers or riders,” he said.

He also expressed regret that the association’s Deputy President died of fatigue inside his car this year, pointing out that “criminally-minded customers, sometimes kill drivers, steal the car and sell it.”

“This is where insurance comes in. All trips will be insured; the driver, riders, property in the cars, and the car itself will be insured.”