Rough drivers cause many accidents with death toll climbing, say authorities
Motorcycle taxi drivers sit on their bikes, popularly called Okada, in Obalende, Lagos Island, Nigeria, on January 27 2020. Picture: REUTERS/TEMILADE ADELAJA
The Lagos state government cracked down on the popular way to dodge traffic congestion in the commercial capital of Africa’s most populous country, calling the bikes and their three-wheel equivalents a “menace” that are responsible for “scary figures” regarding loss of life. Drivers ignore traffic laws and allow criminals to use the ride-hailing services as getaway vehicles, Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy, said in an e-mailed statement.
The ruling is a setback for OPay, which is based in Oslo and has shareholders including Softbank and China’s Meituan Dianping. The mobile-payments company started its ORide service in Lagos in June, before raising $120m later in the year to expand its various online services in countries such as Ghana, SA and Kenya. Meanwhile, Uber — which has operated in Nigeria for more than five years — may lose a fierce rival.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Crowded Lagos to ban motorbikes from most of Nigerian metropolisNigeria's business capital, Lagos, will ban commercial motorcycles from operating in large parts of the city, the state government announced on Monday
Read more »
Robust US December retail figures point to higher GDP growthSector likely to see further creative disruptions as several online sales platforms gain momentum
Read more »
19 pupils injured as their taxi overturns in VanderbijlparkThe children - aged between seven and 12 - were transported to the hospital for further treatment earlier on Wednesday morning.
Read more »
19 children injured in taxi crashMedics assessed the children, aged between seven and 12-years-old, and found that they had sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Read more »
US wants end to EU 'chlorine chicken' banThe US said that Europeans should reconsider their ban on so-called chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef imports.
Read more »