Mohammed Shosanya

Hyundai Motor and Kia are recalling more than 91,000 newer vehicles in the U.S. because of fire risks and urged owners to park outside and away from structures pending repairs.

The recall covers Hyundai 2023-2024 Palisade, 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles and 2023-2024 Seltos and 2023 Kia Soul, Sportage vehicles. About 52,000 Hyundai vehicles and nearly 40,000 Kia vehicles are covered under the recall,the automakers said on Thursday.

According to the Korean automakers, electronic controllers for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat. Owners will be notified in late September and dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller as needed.

Kia said it has six reports of potentially related thermal events but no accidents or injuries while Hyundai has four similar reports. The automakers told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a suspect part was eliminated from production in March.

Mohammed Shosanya

Uber has launched an emergency in-app support for drivers and riders in Nigeria in partnership with Sety, signalling improved commitment to leveraging technology to raise the bar on safety in the country

The company will soon launch Audio Recording in the country.

Speaking at its launch in Lagos, Tope Akinwumi, Country Manager for Uber in Nigeria, explained that safety is a core priority for the business.

He added:“Safety is at the heart of what we do at Uber and over the years, we have invested heavily in technology and other measures to help keep drivers and riders safe on the platform.

“Sety is proud to partner with Uber in Nigeria, in empowering riders and drivers with our on-trip emergency response service. Our collaboration with Uber underscores our shared commitment to prioritising and utilising digital technology to enhance safety of our customers and partners, thus ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians as a whole” says Nnamdi Melie, CEO, Sety.

According to him,riders and drivers can access the Safety Toolkit by tapping the shield icon on their app’s map screen.

He said:”After tapping the Emergency Assistance feature, you will see your GPS location, car make and model, and licence plate.If you tap the “Call Security” button and connect to a private emergency services and security responder, those trip details become available to them digitally and can be used to respond to an emergency.

“After your contact with the emergency services, Uber’s customer support team will check in to see if you’re alright”

Uber will soon launch audio recording which allows riders and drivers to use the app to record and share audio of their trip as evidence in the case of a safety incident – something that drivers have been asking for based on their feedback from roundtable sessions.

The new opt-in audio recording feature has been successful in South Africa where over 3 400 drivers and 80 000 riders who use the Uber app set up the feature during the pilot period.

Uber believes the new audio recording feature will improve the overall quality of evidence collected on the safety incidents that are reported by both riders and drivers.

This means that both riders and drivers will have the ability to record the trip and submit their recordings alongside the safety tickets they’ll submit. By logging a safety incident along with a recording, the rider or driver gives Uber permission to access the file for investigation purposes.

“We are putting safety at the heart of everything we do and always looking at ways to improve safety on the platform. Not only are we passionate about helping people travel from point A to B, we are committed to being a leading safety innovator, using new technology to improve safety standards for all riders and drivers operating on our platform”, added Akinwumi.

Mohammed Shosanya

A tech-driven mobility company, NAIRAXI and its partner Firstplus have unveiled a digital system to support mass transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in order to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

The company,in a statement said fuel subsidy removal has been the third rail of Nigerian politics since subsidies were introduced in the 1970s

To lessen the pains of fuel subsidy removal, NAIRAXI and its partners Firstplus maintained that the private sector-driven approach to digitalise mass transit systems is vital in cushioning the sufferings and challenges of transportation within Nigeria.

At the unveiling ceremony, Yusuf Umar, Chairman of Firstplus, explained that the ongoing plans to work with FCT Administration would help to alleviate and soften the impacts of the fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

According to him, the mass transit scheme would be beneficial to Nigerians as it would change the transportation landscape.

Also speaking,Kingsley Eze, co-founder, explained that the initiative would enhance access to affordable transport services.

“The initiative provides a sustainable platform through which mass Transportation can be effectively subsidized by governments and yet create huge revenue. The Automated Fare Collection system of NAIRAXI allows the convenient use of contactless smart cards as cashless payment instruments in public transportation modes,” he said.

He maintained that the initiative provides a sustainable platform through which mass transportation can be effectively subsidized by governments and yet create huge revenue.

“The automated Fare Collection system of NAIRAXI allows the convenient use of contactless smart cards as cashless payment instruments in public transportation modes,” he said.

According to him, NAIRAXI is partnering with other road transport operators, alongside state governments to introduce technology into our mass transit systems. It has adopted technology to ensure effective payment systems, proper accessibility, ease of payment, automated fare collection, security and monitoring for sustainable management.

He added that these initiatives will curb the corruption and fraudulent activities in fare collection through the implementation of the Auto -fare collection system (AFCS) and user smart card (USC) as they are designed to track transaction and payment history.

Speaking on the benefits of the Initiatives, NAIRAXI boss explained that it would provide customized electronic transit cards and subsidise mass transportation on behalf of the government to ameliorate the harsh economic conditions experienced by the masses due to the removal of fuel subsidies.

Mohammed Shosanya

Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL),the renewable energy subsidiary of Oando,in partnership with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA),Tuesday marked the formal commencement of operations of its electric mass transit buses
in Lagos.

The launch of initiative which held at the Lagos Bus Services Limited Head Office in Ilupeju,Lagos,is aimed at transitioning the Lagos State public transport system through the development of a pathway to a carbon free mobility ecosystem in the state.

Speaking at the launch,the Managing Director of LAMATA, Engr. Abinbola Akinajo emphasized the import of Public-Private-Partnerships

This initiative,Akinajo said is a major aspect of our vision for transportation in Lagos State,adding that the company is desirous of having a clean and efficient transportation system.

He said:”Today’s event is proof of our desire to involve the private sector in our activities to give the average Lagosian the ability to meet their mobility needs. LAMATA is a multi-fuel transport regulatory agency for Lagos hence the partnership with OCEL for the use of EV buses in passenger operations. From LAMATA’s perspective we are open to do business with the private sector whilst ensuring that these partners are aligned with the vision of Lagos state.

“I am elated that in just over a year that Oando Clean Energy came to us to discuss the possibility of working with us in the deployment of electric buses we have signed an MoU with a key deliverable being the implementation of a PoC that would allow us finally include electric buses in our ecosystem.”

The Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Engineer Olalere Odusote who was also at the event in his remarks said; “We had identified transportation as a major cause of pollutants and health problems in the State. For us, this initiative is another step we’re taking as a Government to ensure we clean up the environment in addition to ongoing initiatives in the energy sector.”

President/CEO of OCEL, Dr. Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune, advocated urgent need for electric vehicles to address transportation’s 62% contribution to Nigeria’s GHG emissions.

He said:“This is an opportunity for us to revolutionize mobility in our country as well as build local capacity for the renewable and clean energy ecosystem. Whilst today these buses have come from across the world, in the very near future they will be produced here in Nigeria. In the very near future, we will have a multitude of locally trained engineers who are capable of operating, maintaining, and servicing these buses and other renewable energy assets. We see these buses as a first step.

” This PoC facilitates the collection of the first sets of data points to support the development and deployment of EV for municipal and public transport on the continent. Our ambition together with Lagos state, is to set our sights on the future and chart a path for others to follow. We have worked tirelessly to get here, and we are confident that the steps we are taking, which I must reiterate would not have been possible without the support of Lagos state, LAMATA, LBSL, Primero, and His Excellency, the Governor, who saw the vision and imperative of committing to this journey.”

He also said that the company is committed to the success of this initiative and plans to expand its services through partnerships with leading players in the global renewable energy space .

He added:“We believe that these electric vehicles have the potential to transform the transportation sector in Nigeria and provide a sustainable solution for the country’s growing population.”

The Commissioner of Transport, Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeiende who was there representing the Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu said there is abundant evidence that shows that human activities have been the main drivers of climate change primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

He also said,ghis situation has given rise to affirmative actions by world leaders and environmentalists to act fast to save our world.

He added:”Lagos is the only state in Nigeria that has prepared and initiated the execution of a climate action plan. The plan outlines 26 efforts covering adaptation and mitigation actions to build a sustainable low carbon economy in the pursuit of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”

The roll-out of the electric buses starts with a three-month proof-of-concept phase, aimed at establishing the viability of electric vehicles for mass transportation in Lagos State, and to derive key learnings for an expanded program across the country.

This will be followed by a pilot phase with an expanded fleet and bus routes, and the eventual countrywide deployment creating employment for over 30,000 Nigerians.

To support the seamless running of the buses OCEL has invested and deployed charging stations in bus depots to ensure the buses are always fully charged. Furthermore, extensive training has been provided to the drivers on the proper use and maintenance of the buses.

This project exemplifies Oando’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving her ambitious goal of becoming net-zero by 2060, and indeed Lagos State’s commitment to net-zero by 2050. Through its strategic partnership with LAMATA, the company is actively contributing to the development of a robust EV infrastructure ecosystem in Lagos State and further underscores the importance of public and private sector partnerships in achieving being a carbon neutral Nation.

Mohammed Shosanya

Lack of stable electricity supply, and insecurity are among the hurdles militating against effective operations of automobile assembly plants in Nigeria, Chief Diana Chen, the Chairman of CIG Motors Co. Limited,has said.

She spoke on Tuesday at the official opening of Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) Motor Abuja G-Style Showroom and the unveiling of all new GS8 premium SUV in the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja.

She implored the coming administration to tackle security for Nigeria to harness it’s potentials with respect to growth in the auto industry.

She added:”Power stability is one challenge, Without stable electricity supply it is difficult to have manufacturing here, another one is security issue” .

She said that GAC Motor is willing and ready to work with government at all levels to rebuild the capabilities of the youth population towards becoming well trained, skilled, and technical people especially in the area of automobile industry.

Nigeria boasts of great potentials both in the economic and auto market growth across Africa,she said,adding that the GAC Motor expects to grab more market share with its assembly plant in Lagos.

She implored the Federal Government to develop policies that encourage Nigerians to purchase brand new vehicles rather than the current reliance on imported fairly used ones, adding that such a policy would boost investment in assembling plants that would in turn create jobs and wealth for the country.

According to her, the company was already in partnership with four banks in the country that allows customers to purchase its cars while paying back in monthly installments.

“GAC Motor Nigeria is committed to building and developing the future of the automobile industry in Nigeria, and believes that collaboration with the Federal Government is key to achieving this goal”, she stated.

She also assured Nigerians of the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s football national teams and the creative sector.

The Lagos State Government has told the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to be cautious in the discharge of their duties to motorists plying the state’s roads in order to reduce road accidents.

It also sensitized the officers on the need to come up with creative and innovative ideas that would improve service delivery to motorists in the state.

In a statement,Adam Babs-Olorunkemi, the Principal Public Affairs Officer, Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State said that Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation,stated these during a training exercise organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Office of Transformation Creativity and Innovation (OTCI).

He reiterated that the primary responsibility of VIOs was to ensure that all means of transport plying Lagos roads met the safety parameters as encapsulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, (TSRL) 2018, noting that in the cause of doing this, road accidents would be reduced.

He hinted that this was part of the efforts of OTCI to fast-track the State government’s Civil Service Reforms and equally promotes the culture of creativity and innovation across the State Public Service.

Toriola, observed that the OTCI had continuously strived to ensure public servants were awaken to the consciousness of the need to be ingenious at their respective desks.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Anjous Ademuyiwa, Director Creativity and Innovation for OTCI, also harped on the need for the officers and public servants at large to build a culture of innovation.

The Sierra Leonean Government has received first batch of automobiles produced by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company Limited .

The vehicles, which arrived Free Town, the Capital of Sierra Leone on Monday, would be used by the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) military officers,a statement from the company said.

The company wsaid the success was in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA),adding that decision of the Sierra Leone Government led by President Julius Maada Bio has received commendation from its citizens.

The statement hinted that the people lauded the government for acting in line with the spirit of the continental agreement by opting for an African (IVM) brand of vehicles for the use of the country’s Armed Forces.

Following the arrival of the Innoson vehicles in Free Town, Sierra Leone has become the first country in West Africa whose armed forces are using the IVM products outside Nigeria.

“The IVM vehicles are currently being discharged at Queen Elizabeth 2 Port, the Sierra Leone’s sea Port Water Quay in Free Town,” the statement said.

In one of the many reports in the local media on the purchase of the Made-in-Nigeria vehicles, a popular blog in Sierra Leone, Focus News Blog, hailed President Bio for believing “that our Army Officers deserve better.”

The post, which showed a line-up of the IVM products from Nigeria, informed Sierra Leoneans that the vehicles would soon be “ready for distribution to military officers across the country” by the government

In one of the commendations for President Bio, a Sierra Leonean, Francis Ken Samu, remarked, “We are on top of the situation in times of security. Bravo HE President Bio. Keep the Military Colour Flag going up higher than ever before in de history of Sierras Leone.. God bless you, HE President Bio for equipping the RSLAF.”

The Nigerian Army had four years signed a partnership agreement with the Nnewi auto plant for the supply of purpose-built vehicles for its personnel.

The agreement also includes identifying requirements for the production of the armoured fighting vehicle in Nigerian Army Central Workshop in Kaduna and enhancing the capacity of Nigerian Army personnel to actively participate in the successful implementation of these joint ventures

Governor Dapo Abiodun has said that plans are underway to convert vehicles running on petrol to gas in Ogun state.

His Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin quoted the governor as disclosing this at an interactive meeting with transport union members from Ogun Central, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, at the weekend.

He explained that the conversion project christened ‘Ogun Going Green Project’ is necessitated by the hazard poses to the environment by carbon emissions.

He added: “It is no news that Ogun State enjoys the crisscross of gas pipelines coming from the delta and goes to neighboring countries that is why we have the proliferation of industries in the state, and we have decided to take advantage of the network of gas pipelines. We have the Ogun Going Green Project and that project allows for the reduction of carbon emissions like it is done all over the world.

“We want to start by ensuring that our vehicles utilize other sources of fuel that will reduce the amount of emissions which is the largest contributor to global warming. So, we are starting with our transportation sector. We are going to provide them with vehicles and these vehicles and with the one they have now will be converted through a pilot project. We will be using a combination of Gas and fuel, but the fuel will only be used to start the vehicles and after that, the gas takes over”.

He said that the first set of kits for the project would arrive in the state in the next three weeks, adding that buses, trucks and taxis, would be the first to benefit from the project, while motorcycles would be converted to electric ones.

He added that apart from reducing consumption and reliance on fuel, the project would reduce the environmental pollution as well as cost of transportation as the cost of gas is almost a quarter of that of fossil fuel.

According to him, the state would facilitate new vehicles for the transporters on a part-payment basis, saying the Ministry of Transportation had been directed to work out modalities with the unions on how to go about the plans.

Abiodun, who described the transportation sector as the live wire of any economy, maintained that his administration regarded the union members as important stakeholders in achieving its “Building our Future Together agenda”.

He stressed that transporters are too important to ignore in the scheme of things.

“From time to time, we must sit down with people like this and share with them what the administration has done for the avoidance of doubt and to further solicit from them what we want them to do. We want them to ply the roads responsively. We want them to drive safely and be our ambassadors. We want to know what their needs are and what we can do to make road transportation safer and more efficient”

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, NAJA, has advocated the need for a more proactive measure from state governments arresting and contravening motorists using faded vehicle number plates across the country.

NAJA Chairman, Mr. Mike Ochonma, who made this position known in a statement made available to newsmen over the weekend, wondered why the unsuspecting vehicle owners are subjected to such traumatic experience when they processed and procured their number plate from the relevant authorities.

Recognising the efforts of the various authorities in curbing the increasing number of faded number plates in use across the country,Ochonma also challenged authorities producing the number plates to use
quality paint and other printing materials that will have a longer life-span.

He explained that the measures will save vehicle owners from the harrowing experience they face regularly in the hands of both the state VIS officials, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Police and other statutory authorities.

He also recommended that, owners of faded vehicle number plate if arrested or stopped on the road for such reasons and it is proved that, the vehicle owner can either be given a period of grace within which to get a new one at a discounted price at the time when they are renewing their vehicle particulars

Some of the motorists said on many occasions, they were made to pay varying amounts of heavy fines of up to N20,000 and above with further directive to procure a new number plate for no fault of theirs in addition to the alleged contravention.

According to state VIS sources, motorists with faded vehicle plate numbers are violating traffic rules and must pay fines.

“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, because having a faded vehicle number plate is an offence. Those accosted for having faded vehicle number plates should blame themselves for not doing the right thing at the right time”.

All vehicle number plates both the VIS and FRSC officials said must be visible from at least 50 meters away, otherwise it constitutes an offence to use it, adding that, if a clear view could not be achieved, then the number plate was not performing its function. For example, if a vehicle is stolen, it is the number plate that will be used to identify the vehicle to report to security agencies”.

NAJA said it was improper to impound people’s vehicles or impose fines, adding that defaulting drivers should rather be made to make payments for automatic replacement.

Speaking on the alleged low quality of the number plates, Ochonma said it was important for road enforcement agencies to find solution to the low-quality vehicle number plates in circulation.

He said:“Having faded vehicle plate numbers cannot and should not be blamed on motorists. They were not the people that produced the plate numbers. Hence, it is bizarre that such motorists would be made to pay for offences that are allegedly committed due to no fault of theirs.We believe those charged with production of the said substandard number plates which fade easily, instead of heaping the blame entirely on motorists.

“As an association, we urge that to ensure that the number plates being produced by the Lagos state government through the Lagos state Number Plate Production Authority (NPPA) and othe production centres for instance, are produced under strict supervision of its quality control officers”

He said statistics has shown that unlike the vehicle number plates produced by the FRSC in Abuja, most of the vehicle number plates produced by NPPA are those that easily get faded.

Vehicle number plates, NAJA Mike Ochonma submitted, should be able to last for about 12 years without getting faded.