Uber, Bolt Drivers Threaten Strike On Monday

Some Uber and Bolt e-cab drivers in Lagos on Saturday asked the
e-hailing companies to immediately increase fares being charged by
the operators, failing which they would go off the roads on
Monday.

The e-cab operators, under the aegis of Professional E-hailing
Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), threatened to
embark on the strike if their demands were not met.

Mr Idris Shonuga, National President of PEDPA, at a news
conference in Lagos, called for immediate upward review of e-cab
fares to reflect the current economic reality in the country.

According to Shonuga, over 95 per cent of e-hailing transactions
are consummated through Uber and Bolt platforms.

He said that the companies had refused to review its pricing
despite unprecedented increases in the price of fuel, vehicles
spare parts, food items and other essential commodities in the
country.

“In a quest to work and harmoniously at resolving some issues,
the association wrote several letters to the companies which was
not attended to, showing nonchalant attitude towards our
plight.

“Your companies have failed, refused and neglected to honour our
request for a meeting to discuss issues beneficial to all e-hailing
drivers in Nigeria.

“And to fashion a harmonious relationship that will benefit,
dignify and improve the standard of living of e-hailing drivers,
private car owners and the general standard of e-hailing business
in the country.

“Instead of fixing a new and reasonable fare in line with
inflation, the companies have recklessly continued to maintain the
low fare, thereby, impoverishing hard-working young Nigerians who
are diligently and lawfully trying to make a decent living,”
Shonuga said.

The e-cab operators also demanded adequate welfare package for
drivers and compensation to the families of those that lost their
lives or are permanently disabled in the line of duty,

The association said that more than 15 drivers had lost their
lives, while some had been permanently disabled in accidents in the
course of the service.

More than 20 others have also lost their lives through
kidnapping or killed by ritualists without any compensation from
the operators, the association said.

Shonuga said that the association was considering taking legal
action to seek remedies against the e-hailing companies if their
demands were not met. (NAN)

Some Uber and Bolt e-cab drivers in Lagos on Saturday asked the
e-hailing companies to immediately increase fares being charged by
the operators, failing which they would go off the roads on
Monday.

The e-cab operators, under the aegis of Professional E-hailing
Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), threatened to
embark on the strike if their demands were not met.

Mr Idris Shonuga, National President of PEDPA, at a news
conference in Lagos, called for immediate upward review of e-cab
fares to reflect the current economic reality in the country.

According to Shonuga, over 95 per cent of e-hailing transactions
are consummated through Uber and Bolt platforms.

He said that the companies had refused to review its pricing
despite unprecedented increases in the price of fuel, vehicles
spare parts, food items and other essential commodities in the
country.

“In a quest to work and harmoniously at resolving some issues,
the association wrote several letters to the companies which was
not attended to, showing nonchalant attitude towards our
plight.

“Your companies have failed, refused and neglected to honour our
request for a meeting to discuss issues beneficial to all e-hailing
drivers in Nigeria.

“And to fashion a harmonious relationship that will benefit,
dignify and improve the standard of living of e-hailing drivers,
private car owners and the general standard of e-hailing business
in the country.

“Instead of fixing a new and reasonable fare in line with
inflation, the companies have recklessly continued to maintain the
low fare, thereby, impoverishing hard-working young Nigerians who
are diligently and lawfully trying to make a decent living,”
Shonuga said.

The e-cab operators also demanded adequate welfare package for
drivers and compensation to the families of those that lost their
lives or are permanently disabled in the line of duty,

The association said that more than 15 drivers had lost their
lives, while some had been permanently disabled in accidents in the
course of the service.

More than 20 others have also lost their lives through
kidnapping or killed by ritualists without any compensation from
the operators, the association said.

Shonuga said that the association was considering taking legal
action to seek remedies against the e-hailing companies if their
demands were not met. (NAN)