AUATON wants govt to retrofit vehicles with free CNG kits

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), Lagos State Chapter, has called on the Federal Government to provide free CNG kits to retrofit their vehicles.

It made a case for the involvement of the union in any price reduction mechanisms, considering the rising costs its drivers face, rising prices of spare parts and general cost of living.

The union is also demanding that app companies reduce their commission to five per cent as demonstrated by platforms like Indriver and Rida.

It warned that if app companies refuse to comply with their demands, it would initiate a nationwide boycott of their services and organise protests to shut down their operations.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Chairman, Lagos Chapter, Jaiyesimi Azeez Olalabi, said the union is made up of drivers utilising platforms such as Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Rida, hitch Africa, lagride and others, facilitating an impressive average of 500,000 trips daily, serving over 1.5 million passengers across Nigeria.

Olalabi said it has come to the union’s knowledge that the representatives from certain app companies (uber/bolt) and the Presidential Committee on the National Gas Initiative (PCNGi) met in Abuja regarding fare reduction arrangements and this raises significant concerns among AUATON members.

He explained: “We want to categorically state that AUATON and its members were not involved in this discussion and do not endorse the decisions emanating from the said meeting in Abuja. Our members, who own their vehicles and interface directly with riders, are the backbone of this industry, and we believe that a crucial decision such as fare reduction for riders should be discussed and agreed upon with us who is the implementing arm of the transaction.

“AUATON therefore would not support any unilateral fare reductions whose impact on the operation of our vehicles and the livelihood of our members has not been carefully considered.”

He said AUATON remains committed to speedy adoption of CNG among its members while advocating for fairness and transparency in the app-based transport sector.

“We urge all stakeholders to join us in our quest for a more equitable industry, where drivers are valued and fairly compensated for their hard work,” he said.

He called on the Lagos State government to recognise the vital contributions of its members and support platforms that prioritise the needs of genuine platform workers, stating that the drivers are the backbone of the transport industry.

“Our able governor Sanwo Olu, we have seen your good works through Lagos Ride which is intended to impact the youth of Lagos State but unfortunately this vehicle is not getting to us who are the main stakeholders in the industry.

“We noticed that individuals entrusted in managing this awesome project are sabotaging your goodwill and efforts in providing for the youths in the e-hailing sector, as we didn’t get the previous lagride car allocations even after paying for medical and fingerprint.

“We request the allocation of LagRide vehicles to our members. This initiative is to empower youth in Lagos to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the growth of the transportation sector and it is time for our voice to be heard,” he added.

He said AUATON remains committed to advocating for fairness and transparency in the app-based transport sector. We urge all stakeholders to join us in our quest for a more equitable industry, where drivers are valued and fairly compensated for their hard work.