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Saboteurs Responsible for Apapa Gridlock—Opeifa
By Adedapo Adesanya
There are strong indications that the gridlock being experienced in the Apapa axis of Lagos State will not see any improvement this year.
This is because the Presidential Task Team (PTT) on the Restoration of Law and Order has faulted stakeholders for sabotaging its efforts.
The Vice-Chairman of PTT, Mr Kayode Opeifa, declared recently that his team has no control over the delay in transit ranging from three to six weeks for trucks to reach the ports from Mile-2, a distance of about 10 kilometres.
Mr Opeifa, during a media tour of the Apapa port environment, said the inefficiency and lack of proper coordination among stakeholders were the major issues affecting port and traffic in Apapa and its environ.
“There is no problem on this axis of Apapa, what we have are issues. Some of the issues are that the construction is ongoing but a lot of transporters don’t have the information which their agencies, authorities owe them. They need to inform their clients and find a way to inform the public.
‘‘This is because a lot of people are taking advantage of the happenings to extort their principals, drivers exploiting the managers, managers exploiting the shippers, shippers exploiting me and you.
“So, there is a need for information for the public to understand what’s going on here. Then the stakeholders should take ownership of the place.
“Terminal operators should be interested in how people access their terminals and not just attending to whoever they see.
“Transporter should be interested in the welfare of the drivers.
‘‘The port management needs to be concerned with all the issues because somebody needs to tell them when the road will be closed and when they need to come, our job in PTT is to maintain the law and order by ensuring that only those who are asked to come are allowed to move on the road.
“Unfortunately, we are at the receiving ends; everyone thinks we are the one deciding. No, we are not, we only carry out order restoration based on the directives of the operation of the port. But when that operation of the port has efficiency issue, it is a problem to the entire system.
“The contractor needs to gain access to certain places to do its work, the earlier the contractor gains access to where he needs to work, the better for the operation of the port. These are the issues.
‘‘However, the ports must keep working too. We need the port managers to be more responsive in the overall scheme of things.
‘‘We believe in few months’ time the Apapa area will take better shape for movements and port activities, much more orderliness would be restored.’’
Speaking on the transit park for trucks, Mr Opeifa stated, “Regardless of restriction from the construction site, from Mile 2 to major parts along the corridor, you can see you no longer see trucks from Mile 2 to Oshodi, and once the truck moves inside here, (Berger, Coconut area), they feel more relaxed in the port corridor.
“We have no control over how many hours they will spend before getting into the port which depends on port operations. If not for the construction work going on, the movement into the port should be faster. Many of the trucks you see don’t have any business at the port and if you ask them, they don’t even know they are not supposed to be on the road.
“We were sent by the Presidency to restore law and order and we have honestly, achieved that to a large extent. What I’d needed at the ports now is the efficiency in all operations and there is a need for a proper definition of those who supposed to be at the port and not.
“Most of the issues around here comes from one or two terminals out of 15 terminals. So those who are charged with the responsibility of regulating the port should be at their best efficiency,” Mr Opeifa said.
Giving input on the construction timeline, the PTT Vice Chairman noted that the contractor has done a fantastic work so far with the target to complete work between November and December 2020.
He explained, “Our job is to work pending the introduction of electronic call-up system, earlier scheduled to commence on August 1, 2019, but a year after, we are not there yet.
“We believe by the time the road is completed and electronic call-up system commences, in December 2020, 80 per cent of restoration of order would have been achieved and we will see less of human disorderliness. Digitalization will replace operations and we have to deal with fewer issues.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced plans to deploy 24 new coaches to boost the capacity of the Red Line rail by the third quarter of 2026.
In a Wednesday statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, LAMATA said it acknowledged recent reports and social media footage highlighting passenger discomfort on the Oyingbo-Agbado train service due to technical issues affecting the air conditioning system.
It noted that the plan to provide the 24 new coaches forms part of its long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort and service reliability.
“We sincerely apologise to our valued commuters for the heat and inconvenience experienced during their journey.
“As part of our long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort, and service reliability, LAMATA is pleased to announce the expected delivery and operationalisation of additional rolling stock by the third quarter of 2026.
“The new acquisition will comprise three train sets, each with eight coaches, bringing a total of 24 additional coaches to strengthen the existing fleet and improve passenger experience across the Red Line corridor,” the organisation stated.
The statement further revealed that the agency has deployed a technical team to diagnose and resolve the cooling system’s failure to return affected coaches to optimal operating conditions.
“In the immediate term, our technical and engineering teams have been deployed to diagnose and resolve the root cause of the cooling system failure. Restoration works are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to return the affected coaches to optimal operating condition as swiftly as possible.
“LAMATA remains firmly committed to delivering safe, efficient, and world-class rail services. We continue to take proactive measures to minimise technical disruptions and improve overall service quality.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the public as we complete these essential repairs. The comfort, safety, and well-being of all passengers remain central to our operations,” the statement concluded.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A global mobility and urban services platform, inDrive, for the fourth consecutive year, has emerged as second in ride-hailing app downloads in the world.
In its latest report, a leading market intelligence firm, Sensor Tower, also disclosed that the company ranked fourth globally in the travel category for downloads, up from fifth place in 2024, reflecting growing engagement as it continues its transition into a super app.
It was also revealed that inDrive was ranked number one in the travel category by downloads in nine countries, with newcomers to the list including Peru and Pakistan, and placed among the top three most downloaded travel apps in 22 countries.
The chief executive of inDrive, Mr Arsen Tomsky, while commenting on these feats and others, said the continued rise underscores a broader shift toward multi-service platforms that deliver everyday value while remaining closely aligned with local market needs and user expectations.
“Maintaining our position as the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app for a fourth consecutive year is a powerful validation of the value inDrive delivers to its users every day.
“This recognition reflects the trust people place in our platform and the continued dedication of our global team.
“As inDrive evolves into a super app, we remain focused on our core principles of fairness, transparency, and user choice, while expanding access to services that make a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives,” Mr Tomsky said.
The latest report highlights that super app ecosystems are becoming a key growth driver for the ride-hailing industry, particularly in emerging markets where users are engaging more frequently and across a broader range of use cases.
The inDrive app – defined by its peer-to-peer pricing model that allows drivers and riders to agree on a fair price mutually – has now been downloaded over 400 million times since its launch. Available in 1,065 cities worldwide, it has facilitated more than 8 billion transactions.
The platform operates across 48 countries, driven by strong global adoption, including growing momentum across Africa and continued growth in Nigeria.
In 2025, inDrive accelerated its transition into a super app, expanding beyond its core ride-hailing offering to offer additional services, including intercity transportation, courier, grocery delivery, and financial services.
By expanding its offering and meeting more of its users’ daily needs, inDrive is driving deeper and more frequent user engagement – an approach that underpins its continued global momentum.
Technology under the hood, including AI and advanced analytics, plays a significant role in supporting this evolution by enabling greater personalization and more seamless user experiences.
From using machine learning to fix mapping gaps and deliver more accurate ETAs, to predictive analytics that anticipate user needs and personalize service offerings, these capabilities drive innovation. In contrast, ensuring users retain complete control over pricing decisions is consistent with inDrive’s commitment to fairness through choice.
By Dipo Olowookere
A funding package of up to $45 million has been secured by a mobility fintech firm, GoCab, to scale its ethical mobility financing platform across emerging markets.
A statement made available to Business Post disclosed that the funds comprise $15 million equity and $30 million debt, with the equity round co-led by E3 Capital and Janngo Capital. Others involved in the transactions were KawiSafi Ventures and Cur8 Capital.
GoCab operates a drive-to-own mobility fintech model that provides credit to gig-economy workers to buy their own car, bike and others in emerging markets.
It offers vehicles in drive-to-own programmes, mobile phone BNPL, motorbike financing for delivery couriers, and other value-added services through a single digital platform powered by proprietary technology.
With this financing support, GoCab plans to expand its operations and fleet, aiming for 10,000 active vehicles and $100 million in annual recurring revenue within the next 24 months.
Across five markets, GoCab now generates over $17 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) after just 18 months of operations and is on target to reach $50 million by end of 2026 and $100 million in 2027.
The company was established in 2024 by Mr Azamat Sultan and Mr Hendrick Ketchemen to address the limited access to ethical financing and vehicle ownership for gig-economy workers in Africa.
By combining mobility, technology, and inclusive finance, the organization enables drivers and delivery couriers to generate stable income while progressively gaining ownership of their vehicles.
By 2025, GoCab had taken a leading position in several African markets, supporting thousands of drivers and contributing to cleaner, more sustainable urban mobility systems.
“Transforming lives and improving the daily reality of thousands of families is the mission we have set for ourselves. We believe that capital can and must become a powerful force for transformation across Africa and emerging markets,” Mr Ketchemen said.
His counterpart, Mr Sultan, disclosed that, “For us, GoCab is about restoring dignity and opportunity through ownership.
“Across Africa, millions of people are locked out of both mobility and finance. We saw how capital was flowing everywhere except to the people who actually needed it to work.
“This round allows us to scale responsibly expanding access to fair, ethical financing while accelerating the transition to electric mobility, lowering carbon emissions, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future in close alignment with our investors.”
One of the investors, Mr Vladimir Dugin of E3 Capital, said, “The shortage of vehicles and the high cost of transportation remain two of the most pressing challenges across Africa. GoCab is addressing both head-on through a data- and technology-driven platform that expands access to mobility while improving efficiency at scale.
“Its rapidly growing EV fleet lowers costs for riders and drivers alike, while significantly reducing emissions. We are proud to support GoCab as it builds the leading pan-African mobility platform for the future.”
“We are proud to lead GoCab’s $15 million equity round, catalysing over $30 million in debt financing. We were impressed by their vision, their world-class team, and the quality of their execution.
“With this funding, GoCab now has the scale to deploy thousands of productive vehicles, each supporting a full-time income.
“With a clear operational roadmap toward 10,000 active assets and $100 million in recurring revenue, GoCab illustrates how ethical financing can translate into tens of thousands of decent jobs, household resilience, and sustainable growth at scale,” the chairman of Janngo Capital, Fatoumata Bâ, stated.
Also, a partner at KawiSafi Ventures, Mr Marcus Watson, said, “GoCab is building critical infrastructure for climate-smart mobility and the future of work in emerging markets. The combination of disciplined execution, strong unit economics, and a clear impact thesis makes GoCab a compelling platform for sustainable growth.”
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