E-hailing cab driver under the aegis of platforms of Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA) have threatened to down tools if fares are not increased.
They made the call on Saturday in a press conference. They said fares must reflect the new economic reality in the country
Idris Shonuga, National President of PEDPA, said over 95 per cent of e-hailing transactions are consummated through Uber and Bolt platforms.
“In a quest to work and harmoniously at resolving some issues, the association wrote several letters to the companies which were not attended to, showing nonchalant attitude towards our plight.
“Your companies have failed, refused and neglected to honour our request for a meeting to discuss issues beneficial to all e-hailing drivers in Nigeria.
“And to fashion a harmonious relationship that will benefit, dignify and improve the standard of living of e-hailing drivers, private car owners and the general standard of e-hailing business in the country.
“Instead of fixing a new and reasonable fare in line with inflation, the companies have recklessly continued to maintain the low fare, thereby, impoverishing hard-working young Nigerians who are diligently and lawfully trying to make a decent living,” Shonuga said.
The e-cab operators also demanded adequate welfare package for drivers and compensation to the families of those that lost their lives or are permanently disabled in the line of duty,
The association said that more than 15 drivers had lost their lives, while some had been permanently disabled in accidents in the course of the service.
More than 20 others have also lost their lives through kidnapping or killed by ritualists without any compensation from the operators, the association said.
Shonuga said that the association was considering taking legal action to seek remedies against the e-hailing companies if their demands were not met.
