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Lagos Unveils Taxi Scheme for Better Commuting
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Government has signed an agreement for the establishment of a new motor assembly plant to commence full operation in a bid to boost the profile of transportation in the state.
This was disclosed at the commissioning of 1,000 taxi units under a new taxi scheme tagged Lagos Ride aimed to revitalise commuting experience on road transportation across Lagos metropolis.
The new development, which has a projected incubation period of 12 and 18 months for the maturity of the taxi scheme and the motor assembly Plant respectively, is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between CIG Motors Company Ltd and the Ibile Holdings Ltd, an agency of the state government.
Under the scheme, the drivers who will be the operators will be given branded GS3, GAC Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for a period of four years within which it is expected that on a monthly basis, they would have a check-up dues to effect payment in instalment within the stipulated period.
The state government noted that it will increase the capacity of the Taxi scheme from the initial 1,000 to about 5,000 to 7,500 units within a short period of time.
It was also gathered that to unveil a subsequent scheme with larger coverage which will make provision for large capacity intervention for small and mass transit buses.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, noted that the project was an innovative policy of his administration in the bid to enhance the state’s vision of developing a multimodal transportation system and to strengthen the state’s economy
According to him, the effort is channelled according to the administration’s hope targeted at “making life a lot easier for Lagosians including mobility and creating a seamless multimodal transport system.”
“Remember again that in our THEMES Agenda, the first pillar is traffic management and transportation and we will continue to advocate and promise an integrated multimodal transportation system,” he said.
Further, he noted that the assembly plant upon completion will be productive in boosting the state’s economy while creating new channels of employment opportunities.
“It is, therefore, even more heartwarming to note that the Lagos State taxi scheme is being decorated along with the signing agreement of the establishment of a vehicle assembling plant in Lagos; a project that we believe will create jobs.
“We believe it will accelerate socio-economic growth and will further put our state on the global map as a centre of excellence and modern megacity that is committed to sustainable development.
“As a people-oriented government, we are constantly on our toes thinking of ways to make Lagos a lot more habitable and create opportunities for our residents and citizens and we are initiating and implementing ideas to make life better for more Lagosians and to achieve our dream of a greater Lagos,” he said.
Stating that his government is committed to making Lagos metropolis a major hub of a megacity status, Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that having a world-class transportation system is significant according to the envisioning of the THEMES Agenda.
“We are working on the rails, waterways, and we will continue to work on road infrastructure. We are guided by the need for an equitable transportation system with choices for our citizens.
“So, this Taxi Scheme to be known as ‘Lagos Ride’ which is being commissioned today, is in fulfilment of our desire to give Lagosians a transportation choice.
“It is one of the Lagos State socio-economic intervention programme. The modern ride service will be professionally managed in line with the global best practice. The seed for this transaction is that we are doing the first 1,000 taxis which we will be handing over once they all arrive at all of our well-trained drivers.
“It is a social intervention programme that is tailored at ensuring that we can eradicate poverty, provide jobs opportunities for our citizens as well as provide basic necessities that they need to make life a lot more bearable.
“We believe that it is a partnership that would work. We believe that our citizens require this and we believe that the employment that we are creating and generating from this will be second to none.
“So, this scheme is a partnership with CIG motors who are also establishing a motor assembly plant here in Lagos for the production of different classes of vehicles.
“We believe that the establishment of the motor assembly plant is expected to revive industrialisation, increase citizens employment and create wealth for us. It will certainly boost tourism, encourage technology sharing and adaptation, and advancement among our citizens,” he said.
According to him, this will ensure that such vehicle production and taxi system are such that are competitive with the best global standards.
“This is our very modest intervention to recreate the Lagos of our dream and bring it to fruition,” he added.
According to the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Frederick Oladeinde, the scheme, which is a form of social intervention programme operated by a private entity, will produce benefits that will significantly boost the profile of socio-economic and technological activities in the Lagos metropolis.
In her remark, the Chairman, CIG Motors Company Ltd, Mrs Diana Chen, described the new development as a product of a business tour of China by Governor Sanwo-Olu in 2019.
Assuring full commitment to make the partnership agreement an enviable venture to the benefit of the State, she disclosed that the Group is going to sponsor about 50 students who are interested in engineering training for two years in one of the best vocational school in China.
“This is further to Mr Governor’s trip to China in November 2019 which was a fruitful official business trip where numerous big projects and partnership cooperations were further strengthened and forged.
“Proudly, I can say that today’s ceremony on GAC Motors assembly plant and Lagos Taxi Scheme are amongst Mr Governor’s China Trip output and delivery.
“It is important, to show the commitment towards the creation of the Sister State relationship between Lagos State and Guangdong Province.
“We, the Choice International Group (CIG), as the facilitator, will repay you back with our full commitment and delivery on what we signed today. My teams are ready to work with 100% per cent effort to build GAC Motors in Nigeria at the highest level of a brand.
“This international JV project, I believe will also soon bloom up in the Chinese business communities both in Nigeria and China. I can assure you, we will use it as the best example case to introduce and promote a “Greater Lagos and Greater Opportunities.
“Your excellency, your wise decision to partner with us to set up a world-class Assembly plant, definitely is the right decision and a good investment, for both the government and the consumers in Nigeria. Because our mission is the same: let more Nigerians afford a brand new car with trusted quality and enjoyment of driving,” Mrs Chen said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A bill aimed at prohibiting hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles in Nigeria has been passed by the Senate.
The bill known as the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, imposes fines between N50,000 and N100,000 for violations if assented to by the President.
The piece of legislation was passed by the red chamber of the National Assembly on Thursday and should later be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Members of the upper chamber of the parliament explained that the law was amended to discourage distractions in commercial vehicles and improve the safety of commuters.
In addition, motorists who fail to cooperate with officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion are liable to fines or imprisonment or both.
Lawmakers noted that this was to improve compliance with road safety regulations and reduce road crashes, as fines for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs were raised to N100,000 from N5,000, with the risk of spending two years behind bars.
It was also proposed that disobedience to traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices will now attract N100,000, while the fine for speed limit violations is now N100,000, with reckless driving now a fine of N100,000 or two years’ imprisonment.
By Dipo Olowookere
Residents and motorists plying the Aina Obembe Road in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, may soon heave a sigh of relief as the excruciating traffic gridlock being experienced in the area both day and night may soon be a thing of the past.
This is because the chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, Mr Lukmon Agbaje, has directed those involved in indiscriminate truck parking along the road to remove the heavy-duty vehicles within one week, threatening to invoke appropriate enforcement measures for noncompliance with this directive.
Speaking during a meeting on Wednesday with the management of SENA Company, which owns the affected trucks, as well as the leadership of Oluwadara CDA and other key stakeholders like the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), at the council’s secretariat, Mr Agbaje frowned at the prolonged inconvenience suffered by the community, stressing that public roads must remain accessible and safe for all users.
He emphasised the need for a collaborative approach in resolving the issue without undermining legitimate business operations, noting that he’s focused on finding a lasting solution to the gridlock experienced between Oluwaga and Aina Obembe, where parked trucks have continued to obstruct traffic, disrupt business activities, and pose safety concerns for residents and motorists.
He tasked the firm and the CDA to jointly identify and implement alternative parking arrangements that would remove all trucks from the affected roads and restore the free flow of traffic.
He declared that, “The welfare of our people remains our highest priority. No individual or corporate organisation should obstruct public infrastructure or create avoidable hardship for residents. We must ensure that economic activities coexist with public safety, order, and convenience.”
The council chief reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting orderly development, ensuring safe and accessible roads, improving traffic management, and creating an environment where businesses can thrive alongside the well-being of residents.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has cut import levies on new and used vehicles by as much as 10 per cent in a move aimed at reducing the cost of vehicle importation, even as it commenced the implementation of a new Green Tax surcharge.
According to an update issued by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, the import levy on new vehicles has been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while the levy on used vehicles has been slashed from 15 per cent to five per cent under the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, which took effect on July 1, 2026.
The customs said the policy is designed to ease the cost of vehicle imports while advancing the government’s environmental sustainability objectives through the newly introduced Green Tax.
The implementation also reduces the overall import duty on fully built passenger vehicles from 70 per cent to 40 per cent.
As part of the Green Tax framework, a new environmental surcharge of between two per cent and four per cent will apply to petrol-powered vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2,000cc. However, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and passenger cars with engines below 2,000cc are exempt from the surcharge.
Beyond the automobile sector, the fiscal measures also lower import duties on several essential goods. The duty on imported rice has been reduced from 70 per cent to 47.5 per cent, while crude palm oil now attracts a 28.75 per cent duty.
In addition, import duties on agricultural and manufacturing machinery have been completely removed to support local production, while Waste PET has been added to the export prohibition list to encourage domestic recycling.
