Fuel hike brought untold hardship on us — Uber, Bolt drivers

App-based transport workers, under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, have expressed worry at the rising cost of their services.

They said that it had negatively affected their operations and welfare.

An ex-officio of the union, Mr Jossy Olawale, told NAN on Monday in Lagos that the rising cost of petrol had impacted adversely on their operations.

“Petrol subsidy removal has brought untold hardship to members of app-based workers across Nigeria. This is as the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) increased from N184 to up to N1200.

“Also, conflicting service level agreements and a lack of government regulation continue to create untold hardship for app-based workers. As fuel price increased, members’ average fuel cost increased by over 500 per cent, from N10,672 to N59,160 for a full tank of 58 litres of fuel,” he said.

According to Olawale, app companies’ commissions and unfavourable prices are putting drivers at risk of working for long hours, subjecting them to fatigue and health hazards.

“This also subjects the car to regular wear and tear, perpetual repairs and outright pack-up, leading to many drivers becoming unemployed.

“The business is no longer attractive; the cost of an average hailing car went up from two million naira to eight million naira from 2023 to 2024,” he said.

The ex-officio said that there is a need for app companies—Uber, Bolt, Indrive and Rida—to collaborate with the union to provide fair and balanced standard conditions of operation.

According to him, the conditions cover price, commission, competition and driver’s welfare.

He also urged government interest in regulation and legislation that would protect app-based workers.

“The union will not fail to protect and improve its member’s welfare, particularly ensuring that drivers get commensurate fare and moderate commission on a trip.

“To achieve this objective, the industry needs to witness a paradigm shift of self-regulation. This will greatly better the lives of our members, giving them control over their transport businesses as self-employed informal workers.

“The use of compressed natural gas as an alternative fuel for e-hailing drivers has been recommended as the only means of making a profit, and I will advise that members key into it,” Olawale said.