Drivers on e-hailing platforms in Lagos state embarked on a week-strike starting Monday August 31 to protest against adverse aspects of the new regulations by the state government.

In an interview with the Guardian, the president of the National Union of Professional App-Based Workers, Ayoade Ibrahim said the representative of the union was not a party to the agreement reached between the Lagos state government and the Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association.

According to Mr Ibrahim,“app companies like Uber and Bolt push their responsibility to us, we want to negotiate with Lagos State Government about the regulations. It is our responsibility as parts of the amended regulations still put heavy burdens on the drivers.”

He further stated that so far, his union had already had five meetings with the official of the state’s Ministry of Transportation. However, the union was exempted from the recent meeting with the governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, because of its stance on the new regulations. 

Although Uber and Bolt are yet to comment about the matter, the Lagos state government reversed the 10 percent service charge it planned to impose on every trip made on e-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt. This decision was made after an outcry by the drivers on the burden the regulations will put on them.

According to the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Frederic Oladeinde,  the state government has reached an agreement with operators to now charge N20 per trip instead of 20 percent of the charges for each trip while the e-hailing operators like Uber and Bolt were to pay up to N25 million license fee and N10 million annually for renewal of the license. He stated that the N20 per trip charges would be housed under the Road Improvement Fund.

More so, Oladeinde said the state had approved a 20 percent reduction in the operating and renewal license fees, while drivers were expected to complete their documentation within the next 90 days. The required drivers documents  include the Lagos State Registration Agency card, drivers license, among other documents, saying drivers who failed to comply would be banned from operating among other penalties.

The new regulation has sparked different reactions among drivers and customers who consider this regulation to be unfair and burdensome. As the government receives backlash, some say that the regulation is just another means for the government to extort money and make business difficult for people. Those in support of the government policy claim that their only worry is the proper implementation of this regulation, as the Nigerian government is known to bend the rules in their favour.

Currently, e-hailing platforms such as bolt and uber are on strike as there is an obvious lack of faith in the government, hence leaving customers skeptical about the implementation of this policy and the consequences that comes with it. It is said that communication is key, so therefore, a proper dialogue between the government and unions could help put the minds of the people at rest.