CoS to Makinde, Segun Ogunwuyi; Minister of Trade, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; and CEO, Africar, Mr. Sahil Vaswani launching the vehicle
Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and the Minister of Industry, Trades and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo on Thursday launched a new ride-hailing service in Ibadan, the state capital.
Codenamed: ‘Africar,’ the ride-hailing service was launched at a well-attended ceremony with over 115 vehicles.
Speaking at the event, Makinde appreciated Africar, noting that choosing Ibadan as its first base in ride-hailing service, attests to the business-friendly atmosphere for investors, made possible by his administration.
,Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, in a statement, quoted Makinde saying that the introduction of the service into Ibadan is in line with his administration’s goal to invite new investors into the State.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Ogunwuyi, the governor also said he is delighted to witness another demonstration of his administration’s commitment to making life comfortable for residents of the State.
“I am very delighted to be at the event of today which is a further demonstration of our administration’s commitment to making life comfortable for our people and thereby improving the socio-economic activities of the citizenry and the state at large,” he said.
Noting that transportation is evidently important for economic activity and social life in a state, the Governor added that the current economic status of Oyo State is due to many factors, chief among these factors is the development and continuous improvement of our public transport system.
“The State has witnessed and as a matter of fact still witnessing a tremendous growth in the Transport sector since the inception of this Administration in the areas of Transport Infrastructures and procurement of Vehicles for Mass Transit,” he said.
Makinde said as part of his administration’s efforts to improve the transportation sector in the State, he has purchased 109 buses for mass transit tagged ‘Omituntun Bus Mass Transit.’
He also said he has constructed four Bus Terminals at Iwo road, Challenge, and Ojo to ease commuting in the State capital.
Congratulating Stallion Group, owners of Africar, the Governor expressed hope that the launch will birth more interesting fruits as the Group collaborates with his Government for the well-being of the people of Oyo State.
Also speaking, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo appreciated Stallion Group, a home-grown conglomerate, commending them for adding value to the economy of the country for the past 52 years.
The Minister also thanked Makinde for the welcoming environment that has been provided to Africar.
He added that the company’s platform has the potential to transform the transportation industry in the state, providing both employment opportunities and low-cost rides.
According to the CEO, Africar, Mr. Sahil Vaswani, all of the cars being used for this project are assembled in Lagos at Stallion Group’s Von Plant.
He said the company, in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has developed the Bajaj Qute cars used for the new ride hailing taxi.
“This car is assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians and is environment friendly, with 50% lower carbon emissions than the average car,” he said.
The event was also attended by the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, who hailed the infusion of a new ride-hailing service into the transportation system in the state.
