Controversy Over Airport E-Hailing: FAAN Defends Safety and Regulatory Measures.
Controversy Over Airport E-Hailing: FAAN Defends Safety and Regulatory Measures.
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has clarified that the agency’s recent restrictions on e-hailing services at airports did not influence Uber’s decision to exit Nigeria. Speaking at Muritala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Kuku emphasized that Uber’s departure was a business choice by the company, and that FAAN’s primary concern was passenger safety and providing a seamless travel experience.
Last week, FAAN temporarily halted e-hailing drivers from conducting commercial pickups at its airports while finalizing licensing agreements. This move sparked speculation that the restriction was geared toward making way for FAAN’s new airport e-hailing platform, ACHRAMS. However, Kuku explained that the intervention was driven by passenger complaints, especially during the December holiday period, concerning unpleasant experiences with some e-hailing and car-hire operators.
Kuku cited reports of intimidation, passengers being dropped off at unintended locations, and even more serious incidents. She also alleged that some drivers exploited the system by masquerading as legitimate e-hailing operators, then joining car-hire services to charge higher fares. She explained that drivers would sometimes leave their vehicles under the guise of coming into the airport as e-hailing drivers, only to switch to car-hire and inflate fares.
FAAN’s new app was introduced to enhance transparency, enabling passengers to identify and verify the car-hire companies and drivers. Kuku stressed that FAAN does not operate or collect payments for these services; rather, the app provides visibility into the drivers and fares, promoting accountability.
Addressing concerns about high fares charged by airport car-hire operators, she said the charges are a reflection of the operators’ business models, and passengers are free to choose their preferred mode of transport. Kuku stated that FAAN’s role is to ensure passengers can identify their transport operators within the airport environment and hold them accountable for their conduct and safety.
The controversy between FAAN and e-hailing companies also centered on liability issues. While FAAN agreed to dedicated pickup zones, it expected the companies to accept responsibility for driver conduct and safety. However, the companies insisted that their drivers were independent contractors, not FAAN employees, and were reluctant to accept liability, citing safety features on their platforms.
Kuku dismissed claims that FAAN policies prompted Uber’s exit, noting that the company had been contemplating withdrawal for some time due to market share challenges. She reiterated that Uber’s decision was independent of FAAN’s actions and that the airport was only a small part of Uber’s broader operations in Nigeria.
