Business Post Contributor
By Bliss Okperan
Users of ride-hailing mobile applications like Uber, Bolt, LagRide and others may have to submit their National Identification Number (NIN) for registration before using the services if the demands of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria are granted by the federal government.
The group has asked the government to force the ride-hailing companies to capture the NIN of passengers before ordering a ride.
The drivers made this request because of the incessant killing of their colleagues by hoodlums across the country.
In a statement made available to journalists, the ride-hailing drivers said if this demand is met, it would deter criminals from operating and stealing their vehicles.
They alleged that efforts to make ride-hailing companies to make proper means of identification a requirement for the usage of the apps have not been successful, the reason they want the federal government to wade into it.
“The union has been making a call on the app companies as part of a measure to prevent security breaches to profile riders adequately by making means of national ID a prerequisite for all passengers before they can board or take a rider on the app but they have been very adamant and watches our members die a preventable death even without justice and compensation,” a part of the statement said.
“As a registered trade union with the responsibility to protect our members against preventable circumstances like this, we are making a call on the federal government as a matter of urgency to direct the Ministry of Transport, Science, and Digital Economy or any relevant Ministry to direct these app-based companies to capture the NIN of the passengers before ordering a ride,” they said in the statement.
On the killing of its members, the association called on the Nigeria Police Force to take action, noting that drivers no longer feel safe operating in the country.
The drivers were reacting to the alleged murder of four of their colleagues on Wednesday in Port Harcourt and Abuja.
“Another brutal killing and car snatching of a member in Abuja was reported at the Galadimawa area of Abuja on Wednesday.
“Also Roland Asuru and John Okon were both shot dead while their cars were snatched by suspected robbers. There were reportedly failed attempts to snatch members’ cars at GRA, CFC Roundabout, and Ekeme,” another part of the statement read.
“We sympathise with these families and also call on our members to be security conscious at all times as we approve the festive season of the year.”
“We are calling the Governor of River State, FCT Minister, and the police to facilitate investigation and bring these deadly killers to book while the family of the deceased are compensated adequately by the government and app-company,” the group added.
