Makinde, Adebayo launch new ride-hailing service In Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, on Thursday, launched a new ride-hailing service in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Codenamed: ‘AfriCar’, the ride-hailing service was launched at a well-attended ceremony with over 150 vehicles.
Makinde appreciated AfriCar for choosing Ibadan as its first base in the service, while attributing it to the business-friendly atmosphere for investors, made possible by his administration.

Makinde said the introduction of the service was in line with his administration’s goal to invite new investors into the State.

Makinde, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Ogunwuyi, said he was delighted to witness another demonstration of his administration’s commitment to make life comfortable for residents of the State.

He said: “The state has witnessed and is still witnessing a tremendous growth in the transport sector since the inception of this administration.”

Makinde said as part of his administration’s efforts to improve the transportation sector in the state, he has purchased 109 buses for mass transit tagged ‘Omituntun Bus Mass Transit’.

He also said he constructed four bus terminals at Iwo Road, Challenge, and Ojo to ease commuting in the state capital.

Congratulating Stallion Group, owners of AfriCar, the governor expressed hope that the launch would birth more interesting fruits as the group collaborates with the government for the wellbeing of the citizens.

Meanwhile, Adebayo appreciated Stallion Group, a homegrown conglomerate, for adding value to the economy of the country for the past 52 years.

He also thanked Makinde for the welcoming environment that has been provided to Africar. He added that AfriCar’s platform has the potential to transform the transportation industry in the state, providing both employment opportunities and low-cost rides.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AfriCar, Mr. Sahil Vaswani, all of the cars being used for this project are assembled in Lagos at Stallion Group’s Von Plant.

He said AfriCar, in Partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has developed the Bajaj Qute cars used for the new ride hailing taxi.

“This car is assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians and is environmentally friendly, with 50 per cent lower carbon emissions than the average car”, he said.

The event was also attended by the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, who hailed the infusion of a new ride-hailing service into the transportation system in the state. Other dignitaries at the event were the top government functionaries and the executives of AfriCar.