Angry Uber drivers threaten boycott over data-sharing compliance extension

Dependable sources accustomed to the matter instructed Foxiz NIGERIA that Uber requested a three-month extension to fulfil its obligations throughout a closed-door assembly with the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Amalgamated Union of App-Primarily based Transporters of Nigeria in Lagos on Monday.

One of many sources questioned why the corporation wanted three months when different platforms had complied without such a prolonged timeframe.

“I don’t know what they’re hiding; each platform has compiled. They mentioned the federal government ought to give them three months, but what the federal government is asking for is simply real-time information sharing that doesn’t require time; others are doing it,” the supply said.

The settlement signed by e-hailing operators and the state authorities entails API integration for driver and passenger verification, background checks, and licensing compliance.

Although all different e-hailing platforms working throughout the state have complied with the settlement, Uber is the exception.

In 2020, through the state’s evaluation of ride-hailing laws, the previous Lagos Transport Commissioner, Frederic Oladeinde, said, “We aren’t asking the e-hailing corporations to launch detailed information.

“All we’re asking from them is information on journey motion to calculate the precise cost and levy because of the authorities. This information is to be equipped each week,” he said.

Bolt, one other leading e-hailing operator, confirmed to our correspondent in a be aware that it had complied with the state’s regulation on information sharing.

Responding to Foxiz NIGERIA inquiry on the problem, Uber’s Nation Supervisor, Nigeria, Tope Akinwumi, said, “We remain dedicated to honouring the terms of the information sharing settlement that we entered into with the Lagos State Authorities on January 23, 2024.

“The signed settlement features a dedication to sharing aggregated journey information every day through a safe folder resolution, which we have been doing constantly as we work toward API integration.

“Nigeria is a crucial market to us, and over the previous ten years, we have contributed to offering a platform for hundreds of drivers to earn versatile earnings while providing riders with a handy and secure mobility experience,” he said.

Until now, the worldwide firm agency has argued that a few of these information factors exceeded what regulators wanted to carry out their duties.

In the final week, the transport ministry began impounding autos belonging to e-hailing drivers working on the Uber app.

Consequently, app-based transporters within the state convinced their members to boycott Uber until the agency complies with the data-sharing laws with the federal government.

The Lagos Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of App-Primarily based Transporters of Nigeria, Jayesimi Azeez, instructed Foxiz NIGERIA that Uber’s compliance was wanted for security reasons.

He mentioned that despite repeated requests for transparency and adherence to native legal guidelines, Uber had refused to satisfy the established requirements set forth by the federal government.

He defined that drivers have no choice but to take a stand towards the ride-hailing companies.

“We contribute 95 per cent to the enterprise; you simply gave us an application. We’ve written to them many times as a union. We’re the ones feeling the brunt. They’ll comply; if not for the union, many of their autos would nonetheless be impounded.

“We don’t wish to clash with the federal government anymore. We instructed them on the assembly that if they don’t type themselves out, our members will not use their app.

“What the federal government is attempting to do is defend the drivers. We’re comfortable targets for criminals. They profiled us and shared the data. We instructed them that if they don’t do the precise factor, we will cease utilizing them,” Azeez said.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirmed in an announcement obtained by Foxiz NIGERIA that Uber was non-compliant.

He is famous that the state acknowledged international precedents for API integration and urged Uber to conform.

The commissioner added, “The API integration will considerably reduce the chance of unauthorized or unqualified people working as drivers, enhancing the general security and trustworthiness of the e-hailing platforms.”

He emphasised that failure to conform would result in stringent sanctions in alignment with state legal guidelines, including that the choice was necessary for the welfare of all stakeholders.

In 2014, the Nigerian market welcomed the arrival of e-hailing platforms, marking Uber’s debut in Lagos, which was adopted by Bolt (previously often called Taxify) in 2016. Uber expanded its companies to the nationwide capital, Abuja, over 12 months.

Since then, Nigeria has continued to witness a surge in the recognition of ride-hailing platforms, with Uber and Bolt rising as the frontrunners.

Based on Statista, by 2024, the ride-hailing market in Nigeria is anticipated to generate an income of $252m.

The sector is predicted to exhibit an annual development fee of 10.74 per cent, resulting in a projected market dimension of $380m by 2028

The Public Relations Officer of AUATON Lagos, Iwindoye Steven, instructed Foxiz NIGERIA that they had requested the state cease arresting its members and immediately cope with Uber.

The AUATON PRO lamented that Uber was withholding correct data from the federal government.

He said, “We additionally emphasised that harmless drivers should not be penalised if Uber is to face closure because of non-compliance with the MOT.

“And we’re advising all our members in Lagos to change to an alternate app and keep away from utilizing Uber till they resolve their points with the Lagos State authorities.”

Based on Steven, the union believes that the federal government ought to direct its consideration to the Uber workplace and its servers via the Nigeria Communications Fee rather than troubling its harmless members.