E-hailing drivers, under the auspices of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), have asked federal government to provide a framework to regulate the industry.
Gatekeepers News reports that Kolawole Aina, south-west vice-president of AUATON in an interview with NAN on Sunday, said a federal government regulatory framework that would supersede states’ rules had been a long-term goal of the union which has Uber, Bolt, inDrive, and the likes under it.
The AUATON vice-president noted that e-hailing drivers are currently in 26 states across the nation, including Federal Capital Territory, adding that about 15 or 17 of the states have a regulatory framework that “has never favoured drivers of e-hailing rides.”
He said, “So, we as a national union are looking at a national or a federal regulatory framework that will actually centre around all the stakeholders.”
“All the stakeholders including the government, the app company, the drivers, and even the passengers will have their activities in relation to e-hailing rides regulated.”
“It is only the drivers that think about how the states and the app companies are going to make money, and at the end of it, the drivers and riders bear all the burden.”
Aina further noted that the national framework would benefit all stakeholders and help reduce the multiple taxation imposed on drivers.
The AUATON vice-president also said the demand for a national regulatory framework was the reason behind the conference hosted by AUATON in 2024.
He said the association would host another conference in 2025, bringing stakeholders together to discuss the national regulatory framework.
Aina added, “A national regulatory framework can also reduce the rate of kidnapping of our drivers, especially if profiling of passengers is introduced the same way drivers are profiled.”
“One of the challenges we face is that we have not found the government approachable to listen to our demands.”
“We are taxpayers and contribute to the economy, so we need to be listened to.’’
Aina called for better relationship between the app-based companies, governments, and drivers for seamless business operations in the country.
