Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Launches Ride-hailing Service Called Lagos Ride

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has a launched a new electronic-hailing taxi scheme. This new taxi scheme is called ‘Lagos ride’ and the new plan is to redefine road transportation in the state, in accordance with the policy thrust of the Governor’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda. The Governor mentioned that the new e-hailing taxi scheme is a social intervention programme aimed at improving the transportation system in the state, as well as to create employment and economic opportunities for those living in the state. The ride-hailing taxi scheme is in fulfilment of the Lagos State administration’s desire to improve the transportation service for the residents to enjoy, by providing a safe, efficient and modern cab model.

The Governor stated; ‘Our social intervention programmes 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 megacity 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’.

On Thursday, Sanwo-Olu signed a partnership agreement with CIG Motors Company Limited for the take-off of the ‘Lagos Ride’ scheme with a pilot fleet of 1,000 units of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). The ceremony of the inauguration of this event took place at the State House in Marina. There, Sanwo-Olu formally sealed a Joint Venture Agreement with the automobile company for the establishment of a Vehicle Assembly Plant in the State. In the next 24 months, Lagos is said to have a jointly-run factory for the production of different classes of brand-new cars. The establishment of the Vehicle Assembly Plant in Lagos was part of the bilateral agreements reached by the State Government and Chinese Investors’ Community when the Governor visited the Asian country in November 2019.

The new taxi scheme, according to the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is a social intervention programme with the purpose of generating job and economic opportunities, as well as to improve the general living condition, of people living in the state. Recently a ride-hailing service also launched in Port-Harcourt. The service is calling itself ‘Univasa‘, and also hopes to compete with big brands like Uber and Bolt.