Drivers of LagRide, a Lagos state government-backed ride-hailing platform, are planning to stage a protest against the management’s threat to involve the Lagos State Task Force in arresting them over alleged misconduct. The drivers accuse the management of extortion and failing to address systemic challenges they face.
The crisis began when LagRide management, now controlled by CIG Motors Co. Ltd, a Chinese state-owned automaker, accused drivers of discouraging riders from using the app and promoting alternative services.
The management alleged that drivers were refusing trips without justification and collecting cash payments instead of using the platform.
However, the drivers countered that the management’s allegations were due to the company’s failure to address operational difficulties, frustration, and income loss.
They claimed that the new app launched by CIG Motors was not user-friendly, drained phone batteries, and made it difficult to get pickups and destinations.
The drivers also accused LagRide of extortion, citing the company’s decision to turn off the cash option and force them to remit their income to the app.
They alleged that the company charges various levies, including insurance, communication, dashcam, and phone levies, without taking responsibility for vehicle maintenance or repair.
The drivers have resolved to operate offline until their concerns are addressed and plan to take their protest to the Lagos State Government secretariat at Alausa.
The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has warned that the government’s failure to address the drivers’ concerns may lead to a strike action and shutting down LagRide in protest.