The Federal Government of Oyo State, in collaboration with Vasco Technology Solutions Limited, popularly known as AfriCar, launched a low-cost transport system for the people of Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, on Thursday.
The official launch of the new ride-hailing service was done using no fewer than 115 Bajaj Qute, a car assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians to support low-cost and affordable transportation for the masses in Oyo.
The cars were introduced by AfriCar, an off-shoot of Stallion Group, in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
This launch was held at Golden Tulip, Jericho. Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria at the launch was the Minister of Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo. He stated that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration appreciated the Stallion Group—a home-grown conglomerate, for adding value to the country’s economy for the past 52 years.
He equally commended the state governor, Seyi Makinde, for the welcoming environment that has been provided for AfriCar, and other businesses to thrive.
He also pointed out that AfriCar’s platform can potentially transform the transportation industry in the state, providing both employment opportunities and low-cost rides. He added that the Federal Government is also working tirelessly to revive the automobile sector of the economy, to stimulate demand for locally assembled vehicles through establishing a vehicle finance scheme and a guaranteed off-take mechanism.
Governor Makinde, represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Oguwunyi, noted that AfriCar choosing Oyo state as its first base in the ride-hailing service is a testimonial to the business-friendly environment created by his administration for investors. The introduction of the service into Ibadan, he said, is in line with his administration’s goal to attract new investors into the state.
In his words: “I am 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.
“The state has witnessed and, as a matter of fact, still witnessing a tremendous growth in the transport infrastructure and procurement of vehicles for mass transit.”
Makinde noted that his administration had purchased 109 long buses for mass transportation, known as “Omituntun Bus Mass Transit,” apart from constructing four bus terminals at Iwo Road, Challenge, and Ojoo to ease commuting in the state capital.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AfriCar, Mr Sahil Vaswani, said all the cars used for the project were assembled at Stallion Group’s Von Plant in Lagos. He added that the company and NADDC developed the Bajaj Qute cars for Nigeria’s new ride-hailing taxi and would be taken to other states after Ibadan.
He says: “This car is assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians and is environmentally friendly, with 50 per cent lower carbon emissions than the average car.”
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