Bolt, Uber drivers in Nigeria seek federal regulation to stop states’ unfavourable policies 

The South-West Vice-President of AUATON, Mr Kolawole Aina, made this appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Aina said that e-hailing drivers under its platform include Uber, Bolt, and Indrive, among others.

He said that the union had long aimed for a Federal regulatory framework that would supersede state regulations.

The AUATON vice-president noted that the e-hailing drivers are currently in 26 states across the nation, including the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Aina, about 15 or 17 of these states have regulatory frameworks at their own discretion and it has never favoured drivers of e-hailing rides.

“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,’’ he said.

According to him, the national framework will help all stakeholders to benefit and reduce the multiple taxation imposed on drivers.

“One of the challenges we face is that we have not found government approachable to listen to our demands. We are taxpayers and contribute to the economy, so we need to be listened to,” he said.

The vice president, however, called for better relationships between the app companies, governments and drivers for seamless business operations in the country.

AUATON is a registered trade union under the Ministry of Labour and Employment and an affiliate member of the Nigeria Labour Congress.