Metro

Poor Pay: Uber, Bolt Drivers Issue Seven-day Strike Ultimatum

Published

11 months ago

June 14, 2023

A proposed peace meeting between e-hailing firms and their drivers who are operating under the various app-based platforms ended in a deadlock on Friday, according to The PUNCH

It was gathered that both parties refused to cede grounds during their negotiation at the meeting.

The meeting followed an all-out protest to the doorsteps of the ride-hailing companies by the drivers who had declared a nationwide strike to protest what it considered an unacceptable price review in light of the significant increase in the price of petrol.

Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the union, Jossy Olawale, said although some of the e-hailing firms have made some concessions to accommodate the current operating environment, the considerations are still far off the mark.

He also said the union had called off the industrial action on a temporary basis, but would embark on a total and indefinite strike in seven days if the conditions presented on Friday were not met.

“We do not have any resolution with them. They said they would increase the price (fare). The people that met with them in Lagos said they increased the price by N7, and when you look at N7 it’s just about 0.7 per cent increase or thereabouts.

“Before the increase in fuel price, it was N102 per kilometre, but since we started our strike, they upped it to N140, which is about 40 per cent increase. We are actually asking for a 200 per cent increase, which is about N300 per kilometre. We want to use that as a negotiation strategy because we know they won’t do up to that. If they are able to do 100 per cent increase, it’s fine, but they only did 40 per cent.

“We also requested for a 50 per cent reduction of their 25 per cent commission. They didn’t even say anything about it. Though they said they would open the door of negotiation. Lastly, they still left the base fare at N800. We are asking that the base fare should be N2000 flat. The commission should be cut by half from 25 per cent to 12.5 per cent.”

Also speaking, the President of the union, Damola Adeniran, said the union would not budge on the demands presented to the cab-hailing firms, as anything short of those terms would not ensure profitability for the drivers.

He said, “We maintain our stand of N2000 base fare, 200 per cent increase in the price per kilometre and a 50 per cent reduction in commission. We also want collective bargaining and at the same time profiling of riders. We want them to reopen the accounts of drivers who have been blocked unjustifiably, without fair hearing.”

Speaking with The PUNCH, the Country Manager for Uber in Nigeria, Tope Akinwumi, said the company had implemented two upward reviews of fare prices in the wake of the increase in the price of gasoline.

He said, “Drivers are at the heart of everything we do and we continue to work on initiatives and engage with drivers to help make Uber the app of choice for drivers while maintaining an affordable service for riders.

“Following an in-depth review of the current fuel subsidy removal, Uber updated fares on the 3rd and 9th June on the app to reflect existing economic conditions. We believe these changes have helped better support drivers in increasing their earning opportunities. Furthermore, we lowered the service fee in February 2022 from 25 per cent to 20 per cent to help enable better earning opportunities for drivers.”

Contacted, a top official of Bolt refused to comment on the grounds that he had no authority to speak on the matter.

An email sent to the company for comments on the matter was also not responded to as of press

PUNCH

Metro

Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command in collaboration with vigilante and hunter groups, have neutralized a suspected kidnapper during a fierce gun duel and rescued two abducted victims in Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, April 28, 2024, said the suspect sustained gunshot injuries when he and members of his gang engaged the security operatives in a shootout in their hideout.

The suspect was rushed to a hospital where he died while receiving medical treatment. Other members of the gang escaped from the scene.

“On 26/4/2024, at about 0900hours, the command received an intelligence report that some suspected kidnappers were hibernating in Okuno, Orogun, where they were hiding alongside some kidnapped victims, the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi directed the DPO Abraka Division SP Fabian Ayameh to lead police operatives to their hideout,” the statement read.

“The DPO swiftly mobilized police operatives alongside members of the Abraka vigilante, and hunters group, stormed the bush, and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a fierce gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped. One AK-47 rifle and eleven (11) rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.

“The two kidnapped victims (name withheld) were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families, while the injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment. Manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing,” the statement added.

The PPRO further disclosed that police arrested a motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy with illicit drugs, two cutlasses and a locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges along Ovirigor Road in Ughelli.

“On 24/04/2024, at about 1445hrs, Eagle Net Special Squad Surveillance team while on routine patrol along Ovirigor Road Ughelli, flagged down a motorcycle. Upon search, a sizeable quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp was recovered. This necessitated the arrest of the 38-year-old motorcycle rider, Orji Timothy of No. 21 Olotu Street Ughelli,” the statement read.

“The operatives further extended their search to the suspect’s residence, where a Locally Made Double Barrel Pistol with Two Live Cartridges, Twenty Sachets of 100mg Tramadol, One Sachet of Swinol, and two Cutlasses were recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

Meanwhile, police in the Ovwian-Aladja Division arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered an English Berretta pistol from him.

“On 22/4/24 at about 0300 hrs, a distress call was received at the Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Headquarters, that one Anthony Odumegwu, a 44 yrs male indigene of Ihiala, Anambra State, was arrested in an attempt to steal a Daylong Motorcycle with from one Mohammed Yusuf of Ekete Inland Waterside. Upon receipt of the information, the DPO Ovwian/Aladja, CSP Bulus Musa swiftly mobilized to the scene of the crime, and on a thorough search of the suspect and scene of the crime, an English Berreta Pistol without a magazine was recovered. The investigation is ongoing.”

CP Abaniwonda Olufemi noted that the swift and decisive action of officers of the command serves as a testament to the commitment to curbing criminal activities in the state and ensuring the safety of the state.

The commissioner further encourages the public to never hesitate to call the Control Room Numbers: 08036684974; 08125958005; and 09053872287; to report criminal activities or assist the police by giving credible information.

Metro

Gunmen Assassinate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Campaign Coordinator In Ondo

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Unknown gunmen have killed Alaba Excel Abbey, one of the campaign coordinators of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

It was gathered that Abbey was also the Returning Officer for Ward 10 in Supare Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election.

The deceased who served as a ward coordinator for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot-Soldiers (LACO-SF), was shot dead in front of his house.

The deceased’s elder brother, Samuel Abbey, who confirmed the incident to Leadership, said Alaba was assassinated around 9 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024, shortly after returning home.

In a statement released by its State Information Director, Mr Kayode Fasua, the group revealed that the late Abbey was actively involved in campaigning for the election of Governor Aiyedatiwa until his untimely demise.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said an investigation has begun into the case.

“In brief, the command is aware of the incident at Supare, and the investigation is ongoing to unravel all that happened,” she added.

Metro

Five Injured As Vehicles Collide In Lagos

Published

12 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Editor

Five yet-to-be-identified persons have sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred around 6:00 p.m. at Gbagada Bridge in Lagos State.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday.

According to the statement, a three-year-old suffered a head injury, while the four other individuals had fractures in different parts of their bodies.

Taofiq added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a Benz car with registration number JJJ-219 XU lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen Commercial bus with registration number APP-46 GZ parked on the roadside for battery repair.

He noted that the driver of the Mercedes car had been turned over to police officers from the Alonge Police Station and that the victims had been taken to Gbagada General Hospital.

The Special Advisor to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed condolences for the injured victims while urging motorists to drive safely.

The statement partly reads, “Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) operatives responded swiftly today at 6:00 PM to a collision on Gbagada Bridge heading towards Gbagada Express Way, Lagos, rescuing a 3-year-old girl and four others.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a driver of a Benz car (JJJ 219 XU) lost control while using a mobile phone and collided with a Volkswagen commercial bus (APP 46 GZ) parked on the roadside for battery repair.

“Mr Adebayo confirmed that the 3-year-old girl sustained a head injury, while the four others, including the commercial bus driver, suffered fractures in various parts of their bodies.

“The rescued individuals were promptly taken to Gbagada General Hospital by LASTMA officials and Lagos State Ambulance Service personnel.”