Lagos Taxis, the corporate way…

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 03:10 PM PDT

Transportation in Lagos State has become easier and more sophisticated and easy since five new taxi operators were licensed to operate within the metropolis last year. The new operators are; E-Taxi, Orange Cabs, C-Trans Global, I-Trans and Red Cabs. Gone are the days of boarding rickety taxis with suspect roadworthiness.
Each of the operators met the state government’s conditions for approval, which included the use of new vehicles with meters and tracking devices, and the adoption a distinct colour. The operators were also mandated to have a minimum of 200 vehicles. These new fleet are also very accessible because they can be reached on phone.
Hundreds of taxi drivers in the state, smartly dressed in yellow t-shirts and caps, were at the event in Alausa Ikeja and expressed their happiness at the development.
Mr. Kehinde Odegbami, one of the taxi drivers, said the introduction of the new cabs will help the business; and hopefully, with time, we will begin to see more of such new cars in the streets.
Al-Rasheed Inamiyu, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Taxi Drivers’ and Cab Operators’ Association, expressed his gratitude to one of the financiers, Union Bank, for partnering the state government in financing the purchase of 222 vehicles.
Union Bank’s Executive Director (Commercial Banking, Lagos), Kenneth Adeyemi, who represented the Group Managing Director of Union Bank, Barth Ebong, pledged the bank’s commitment to partnering the state government in its developmental projects.
“For a city of over 15 million people, the importance of transport cannot be over emphasized,” he said. “Union Bank is proud to associate with the Lagos State government and the Lagos taxi drivers association in this project which will provide employment, provide security, privacy, and comfort for the passengers, increase the speed of commuting, and boost business activities in the state. We are doing all these in line with our corporate responsibility policies.”
Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, in his speech at the occasion, commended the investors for their efforts and urged drivers of the taxis to handle the vehicles with care and obey traffic laws so as to avoid accidents.
He said, “Whatever people may say about our country and our state, we have good stories to tell,” “Today represents one of those good stories. This partnership has brought 1,255 taxi cabs and by immediate consequence, 1,255 jobs. This also confirms that the private sector partnership is an engine of growth.
He urged the drivers to be conscious that the automobile is not a toy and should handle the car with care so as not to turn it into an instrument of destruction. Lagos is working.”
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