Breaking: LagRide drivers to start using Uber, Bolt, inDrive as NLC wades into CIG dispute

Drivers operating on the LagRide platform now have the liberty to operate on any other ride-hailing app of their choosing.

This was one of the resolutions reached after a meeting between drivers, representatives of CIG Motors, officials of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), and officials of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

According to sources at the meeting, Lagosians will now see LagRide vehicles coming to pick them up when they book rides on Uber, Bolt, inDrive and other e-hailing apps. Although officials of CIG refused to consent to the arrangement, the drivers were given the go-ahead by officials of the Lagos Chapter of the NLC led by the Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi.

“The NLC gave us the go-ahead because the management of LagRide refused to shift ground,” a source told Technext.

“The meeting concluded with the understanding that CIG is not willing to resolve the issues amicably, and the NLC has instructed captains to continue working with alternative apps without fear,” another source said.

CIG Motors and LagRide’s ordeal

LagRide began changing its management in late 2024. CIG Motors was touted as more preferred than the former manager, Zeno, because of its focus on electric cars. However, the switch has not gone as smoothly as envisaged.

The first major problem is the app’s efficiency. The app has a wallet feature for daily remittances. It also does not have spaces for riders to input their destination. Also, fare estimates are not displayed, making riders and passengers haggle about destination and pricing.

Another issue is that the app does not have Google Maps, which many drivers consider to be the most robust for navigation. The map on the app, according to the drivers, does not cover all of Lagos.

Perhaps, the most important shortcoming of the app is that it does not cover the entirety of Lagos. According to the drivers, the new app is only operational in highbrow areas like Victoria Island, representing a major limitation for drivers.

The majority of us are not working. Even the people who are working are not getting requests. If you want to get requests, you have to go to Victoria Island. Does Lagos State comprise only VI? What happened to Ikorodu, Epe, Festac, and the rest? If I pick a ride from Victoria Island to Berger, are you telling me to drive empty back to VI?” Steven Iwindoye said.

These shortcomings prompted drivers to reject the app, stressing that it is counter-productive.

“We don’t welcome the app. I don’t see the reason why Ibile will abandon an indigenous app like Zeno and embrace a foreign app. This is Lagos, this is not China. Their app is for CIG, not for us. We signed a four-year contract to drive our own with Ibile. It is Ibile that gave us the allocation paper and contract paper. We did not sign with the Chinese. If CIG cannot continue with us, they should take us back to Zeno,” another driver, Kolawole David, said.

See also: LagRide drivers accuse CIG of police intimidation, reject new app

It is against this backdrop that the meeting at the CIG headquarters in Lagos was called. Attendees include representatives of the Lagride Captains, Lagos NLC Chariperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, and CIG representatives led by Mr Niyi Sallu.

Others are the Vice Chairman, AUATON Lagos, Comrade Tosin, and the Public Relations Officer, AUATON Lagos, Comrade Steven Iwindoye.

During the meeting, the Lagos NLC chairperson, Comrade Sessi, pointed out the several operational bottlenecks hindering the app’s functionality. She noted that these bottlenecks are affecting drivers economically and hindering them from meeting their daily financial obligations.

She further emphasised that Lagride captains are willing to work and pay off their assets if the app is flexible, user-friendly, and accountable.

To this, the CIG representative, Mr. Niyi Sallu, assured drivers that meaningful corrections have been made to the app, with gradual improvements and increased functionality. However, the drivers noted that key issues remain unresolved.

Eventually, although the CIG representatives refused, the NLC gave the drivers the authority to use other ride-hailing apps.

Because CIG had previously been accused of harassing drivers with police and other security outfits, the NLC also undertook to interface with the police and other security operatives to stop harassing the drivers.

“All Lagride captains are allowed to use any app of their choice. The NLC will communicate with the police to avoid arresting or impounding vehicles with Lagride inscriptions. The NLC task force will be informed of this development, and the union will be ready to negotiate with CIG when they are willing,”