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By Joel Anekwe
Univasa Nigeria Limited, a leading IT company, Tuesday unveiled its ride-hailing section in Port Harcourt with a target to use robust incentives to drivers to gain control of the market.
The Port Harcourt launch is coming six months after Univasa’s entry into Nigeria’s e-taxi service market with a takeoff from Lagos.
John Oyakhilome, general manager, Univasa, who gave the hint about the company’s plans said that after a foray in Edo State two weeks ago, the outfit was encouraged to move quickly into a promising Rivers terrain by the overwhelming warmth with which stakeholders embraced their services.
He said, “We saw how drivers in Port Harcourt really wanted change when it comes to the transportation industry. That’s the reason we are launching today. We are further looking at different states. We verged into this service to deploy technology in making things simpler for people in Nigeria.
“For Port Harcourt, we saw that effective communication and being able to accept drivers as partners, who should feel a sense of ownership in the business, has been lacking among structures we met running.
“So one unique selling point for us is genuinely treating and accepting our drivers as partners and not just ordinary drivers. Drivers form a bond, so trying to deal with them as individuals is creating problems in their midst and they don’t like that.
“So, Univasa, coming to Port Harcourt, has tried to bring them together. Aside that, we are going to give new cars to some of them longing for new cars.
“We are giving our drivers health maintenance organization (HMO) that would benefit their families. So, as they are driving under Univasa, they don’t need to worry about hospital bills for self and families and all that.
“We want also that when you are driving for Univasa, it helps you to own properties, own land, build their houses so they can look back and say because I drive with Univasa, I was able to own this or that property.
“We keep improving on our service to them and service to the riders who are not left out in the various incentives we are unfolding. But much of the focus is at ensuring that the drivers are comfortable because without them the riders won’t be comfortable.”
He said to deal with impact of growing insecurity on the business, for every driver under Univasa, “must undergo diligent profiling before you are made part of Univasa, aside ensuring your car is in good and safe condition. We keep educating them on good conduct and how to relate with the riders.
“We also educate riders (clients) on security tips. The rider should not be off guard. You should be able to know some tips on how to sense dangers and trigger cancellation of a ride or take appropriate action when the situation demands while on a ride.
“We are also deploying a tracking device not just for security purpose but to as well enhance on and offline services for both drivers and riders, such that even offline, you can call for service and get prompt response.”
