The news:
- After a month-long dispute between the Lagos State Government and mobility company Uber, the two parties finally reached an agreement over the 2020 real-time data-sharing agreement with ride-hailing companies in the city.
- Following the 2020 agreement, the state government moved to enforce ride-hailing platforms operating within the state to grant real-time access to rider trips and location data through backend API integration.
Citing surveillance and privacy concerns, Uber, which insisted that it was already sharing the required data daily with the government, pushed back on the request even as Bolt, another ride-sharing platform, agreed.
Additionally, the ride-sharing platform also noted that it pays an annual licence fee of ₦25 million and a per-trip road improvement levy of ₦20 as part of its regulatory obligations to the state,
In response, the government exercised its executive power by impounding cars it confirmed belonged to Uber drivers. Uber said it was working closely with the state government to resolve the issues instantly.
Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, Lagos State Director of Transport Operations, told a publication that the state has “reached a truce” with the mobility company.
“We shifted ground and Uber too has shifted ground,” Ojowuro explained.
About the impounded Uber vehicles, Ojowuro noted they were released to the custody of their respective owner three days after they were seized “based on compassionate grounds.”
Uber has yet to issue any statement regarding the new development.
Amid the data-sharing resolution and persisting inflation, more drivers call on Uber to lower its 25% commission to increase their earnings. Some drivers have also accused Uber and other e-hailing platforms of cutting fares.
Ibrahim Ayoade, the general secretary of the App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), argues that the pricing strategy is partly responsible for delays in getting rides.
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On April 2, 2024, Techpoint reported that Uber increased driver earnings on its ride-hailing platform by 10% per kilometre and per minute fare.
“From April 2nd, 2024, we will be reflecting increased fares on the UberX product to give you the best possible earning opportunity. Weekday and weekend fare: Per kilometre fare: 10% increase. Per minute fare: 10% increase,” the notice to drivers read.
However, Ayoade claimed that the initiative was a PR stunt that wasn’t followed through.