Nigeria's rideshare union, the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON), has condemned the exclusion of rideshare drivers from receiving free compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kits under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI). This decision was conveyed in a statement signed by the union’s president, Comrade Adedamola Adeniran, and made available to Technext.
AUATON's Reaction to Exclusions
According to the statement, conversion kits and installations were made entirely free for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). In contrast, rideshare drivers will receive only a 50 per cent discount on conversion kits while being required to pay for the installation. The union described this situation as unacceptable.
Response to Criticism
AUATON also condemned the PCNGI’s choice of collaborating with companies like Uber and Bolt for the execution of the project instead of the union. They pointed out that Uber, Bolt, and others are registered as private companies under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and their goals are not exactly aligned with those of the drivers.
Impact of the Incident on Drivers
Responding to these claims, a representative of the PCNGI scheme admitted that the conversion would be free for NURTW and RTEAN members but only for a limited number of members, those who applied first.
The representative also confirmed that they are working with app companies to reach more drivers than through the unions. The scheme was designed with several factors in mind, which remain internal for now.
This incident clearly highlights the importance of equal treatment in developing Nigeria's transportation infrastructure and underscores the necessity of revisiting current standards to ensure fair treatment for all transportation unions.
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