Lagos State once again has proven itself to be the hub of innovation and economic development as it officially unveiled a new transportation Initiative Called “Lagos Ride” an e-hailing taxi in Lagos state Nigeria.
It’s not a secret that Lagos is one of the most populated States not just in Nigeria but in West Africa and over the years the government has come up with different initiatives to combat the challenges facing the transport sector.
Lagos Ride e-hailing taxi is the latest effort of the government to ease the pain in the mobility industry. You may be wondering what exactly this means and how does it Concern you?
Lagos Ride- is a new e-hailing taxi scheme aimed to redefine road transportation in Lagos State.
The Lagos Ride scheme is a partnership agreement between the Lagos State government and Choice International Group (CIG) Motors Company Limited. The scheme begins with a pilot fleet of 1000 units of brand new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), At the unveiling and flag-off ceremony which happened on Thursday 4th of March 2020, at the State House in Marina.
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The State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu formerly made the announcement of the partnership and sealed a joint venture agreement with the Chinese automobile company for the establishment of a Vehicle Assembly Plant in the state, to be created in the next 24 months. The Governor also announced that Lagos will have a jointly-run factory for the production of different classes of brand new cars.
Sanwo-Olu said that the establishment of the Vehicle Assembly Plant in Lagos was part of the Bilateral agreements reached between the State government and the Chinese investor’s community when He visited China back in November 2019. The Governor also noted that IBILE Holdings Limited which is a State-owned company will be in charge of the two Investment agreements on behalf of the Lagos State Government.
In his address, Mr. Sanwo-Olu said the new e-hailing taxi ride scheme was a social intervention program initiated with an objective to create jobs and economic opportunities for the people of Lagos.
He said the “Lagos Ride” scheme was in fulfillment of his administration’s desire to give residents a better choice in road transportation by offering a safe, efficient and modern cab model in line with the policy thrust of his Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
In his words, “Our social intervention programs are tailored towards the eradication of poverty, provision of jobs and other employment opportunities as well as the provision of basic necessities, that make good governance our people’s reality. A major attribute of a modern mega-city is a world-class transportation system with inter-connected services and mobility choices for the citizens. The task of bequeathing a safe, efficient, quick, and modern public transportation system is a key thrust of our administration’s development agenda. We are guided by the need for an equitable transportation system with mobility choices for our people.”
The Governor said the taxi scheme, which is expected to fully be operational in the next 6 months, had been structured along with a profitability model and designed to be self-sustaining for expansion and growth.
Under the new e-hailing taxi scheme
Cooperative Societies in the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment would give operators brand new SUVs for a period of four years, during which they would pay a monthly installment. At the end of the credit tenure, the operators will have the opportunity to fully own the cars.
According to the Governor, the scheme would offer operators flexible repayment plans and affordable savings for vehicles’ maintenance.
Also, the establishment of the Vehicle Assembly Plant was in furtherance of the administration’s economic growth blueprint, noting that the Joint Venture Agreement would revive industrialization, drive up skilled youth employment and create wealth, boost tourism, and encourage technology sharing, adaptation, and advancement in the State.
Speaking at the event, The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladehinde, said the e-hailing taxi scheme was initiated, following the proposal presented by the IBILE Holding Limited Company and approved on August 31, 2020, at the State Executive Council meeting. He said “the Assembly Plant and the taxi scheme would boost socio-economic activities and support the development of ancillary enterprises in the transportation sector”
Diana Chen, Chairman of CIG Motors, who is also the Vice-Chairman of China-Africa Business Council (CABC) pledged the full commitment of the automobile company to the agreement, disclosing that the automobile firm would sponsor 50 students for a two-year engineering training in a vocational school in China to strengthen its partnership with the Lagos Government. In her words: “My teams are ready to work with 100 percent effort to build GAC MOTORS in Nigeria in the highest level of a brand. This international Joint Venture Project will soon bloom up in the Chinese business communities both in Nigeria and China. I assure you that, we will use this partnership as the best example to introduce and promote a Greater Lagos where greater opportunities abound.”
Notable Personalities at the unveiling
Present at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); Group Chairman, CIG Motors Ltd, Chief Diana Chen and Vice Chairman, CIG Motors, Mr. Linus Idahosa, Managing Director, Ibile Holdings, Mr. Abiodun Amokomowo and other notable Personalities who witnessed the signing of the agreement for the establishment of the Vehicle Assembly Plant in Marina, Lagos.