E-hailing drivers in Lagos State have threatened to stage a protest over the data-sharing dispute between the state government and Uber Technologies System Nigeria Limited.
This is coming on the heels of reports that Lagos State Ministry of Transportation Enforcement team are impounded vehicles operating on the Uber app.
According to reports, the state government issued a warning to Uber, urging them to comply with a data-sharing agreement that involves integrating the ride-sharing company’s Application Programme Interface (API) with the government’s system, for real-time data sharing during trips to enhance monitoring and accountability.
However, Uber claimed it already shares data securely but lacks clarity on the real-time sharing requirements.
Expressing frustration, the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria criticised the Ministry of Transportation’s enforcement team for impounding their vehicles.
The union’s spokesperson, Jossy Adaraniwon, in a chat with Punch Metro highlighted instances where enforcement officers bait drivers on the app, seizing vehicles upon arrival.
“We have told them to stop this immediately because it is a barbaric act. It is not the way to implement a law.
“We have told them that if this persists till Monday, March 25, we will mobilise our members to protest at the governor’s office.
“We have asked them to stop with immediate effect from impounding our members’ cars, but what the MOT is saying is that the directive is from the Lagos State government itself that we should approach the governor,” Adaraniwon stated.
