General News
FCT Authorities Move to Regulate Uber, Bolt Operations
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) says it will introduce a new hybrid licences for all app-based vehicle operators in the territory from February 2022.
FCT VIO Director, Wadata Bodinga, disclosed this during an FCT Transport Stakeholders Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
He directed that all electronic-hailing operators must convert their regular vehicle licences to hybrid licences.
Some of the e-hailing companies under this category are: Uber, Bolt, Rida amongst others.
Mr Bodinga disclosed that enforcement of the new directive would start from Feb.1, 2022 as the directorate would commence a free conversion of all operators from Nov.9 to Jan.31, 2022.
He said that because e-hailing vehicles were not conventional taxis, the VIO initiated the hybrid vehicle licensing to have the information of e-hailing drivers.
“We as an agency of government want to have an idea of the people operating these vehicles and not just us having the details of users.
“The licensing will give us the database to know those registered and those operating legally,” he said.
He said that a Driver Certificate Card (DCC) would also be obtained by all drivers after undergoing a one-day mandatory training at FCT Model Driver’s Institute or Lugbe VIO Office, Abuja.
“Voluntary enrollment for the DCC commenced from Nov. 9 to Jan.31, 2022.
“DCC requirements for the conversion are National Identification Number (NIN) and a valid driver’s licence.
“This will help us know the number of operators to promote efficiency,” he stated.
Mr Bodinga, however, said that drivers who fail to convert their vehicle licences to the hybrid type before February next year would have to pay for the conversion.
“It will be an annual payment that will not be exorbitant but there has to be a payment before they could be logged into the portal,” he said.
He further disclosed that to avoid permanent ban from operations in the FCT, all taxi drivers or anyone who wished to offer transportation services for hire or gain must obtain the FCT DCC.
“No taxi or bus will be allowed to operate in the FCT except those who fulfill the following; must have an authorised Side Number.
“Must be registered with a licensed operator, appropriate Zonal Cab Colour, fulfills minimum roadworthiness requirements,” Mr Bodinga said.
He also stated that all motorcycle and tricycle riders must obtain the FCT Rider’s Certification Card.
“No motorcycle and tricycle will be allowed to operate in the territory except those who possess an Abuja registered number plate and authorised side number.
“All riders must have a safety boot, reflective jacket, safety helmet, protective clothing and RCC,” he stated.
He said that the directorate would also stop the operation of all delivery motorcycle riders without registered Mail/Delivery service number plates.
He said, “The mail service number plate is new and different to help differentiate legal operators from the illegal ones.
“Delivery riders must have a valid RCC, delivery box rightly fixed, safety helmet and boot alongside a duly registered Cooperate Affairs Commission and Nigerian Postal Service documents,” he said.
The director further said that the development was as a result of schemes under the newly unveiled FCT Public Transport Management Scheme (PTMS).
“The scheme is to provide an improved frame work, passenger service vehicle operators licensing, tricycle and motorcycle last mile operators licensing, goods service vehicle operators licensing.
“The PTMS is a system that wants to bring all the commercial drivers and vehicles together as one of three things: security, sanity, efficiency and affordability.
“We are harnessing digital solutions, regular user transportation environment which can only be achieved if we can bridge the gap in our administration by its review,” he said.
General News
Nigeria Recovers $52.88m in Assets Linked to Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke
Federal government has received $52.88m recovered Galactica assets linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Diezani Alison-Madueke from the USA.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi disclosed this at the formal signing ceremony of the asset agreement between Nigeria and the United States of America in Abuja on Friday, January 10.
While speaking at the ceremony, Fagbemi explained that $50m of the recovered assets will be deployed through the World Bank to the development of the rural electrification project and the remaining $2m will be deployed to the International Institute of Justice to expand the Justice system and also counter corruption.
Speaking further, Fagbemi noted that the asset return marks a milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in combating corruption and upholding the rule of law
He said the event is also a significant effort by President Bola Tinubu to address the issue of corruption.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills called for the monitoring and effectively utilizing the recovered assets by the Ministry of Justice to benefit Nigerians.
Diezani served as Minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
General News
TikTok Announces Plans to Cease Operations in the U.S. by January 19, 2025
TikTok has officially announced plans to cease its operations in the United States by January 19, 2025.
“Absent such relief, the Act will take effect on January 19, 2025,” TikTok said in a Dec. 9 legal filing. “That would shut down TikTok—one of the Nation’s most popular speech platforms for its more than 170 million domestic monthly users on the eve of a presidential inauguration.”
Last year, President Joe Biden signed into law, a legislation to remove TikTok from U.S. app stores and prohibit internet providers across the nation from allowing access to the platform if ByteDance cannot sell to an American company by Jan. 19.
The legislation was put in place amid concerns of China possibly using TikTok to spy on U.S. residents.
In response, TikTok filed an emergency motion for an injunction to stop the ban from taking effect, arguing that it violates the First Amendment and will generate “substantial losses,” per legal documents.
The Supreme Court is slated to hear oral arguments on Jan. 10 over whether or not the law should be upheld.
Meanwhile, several entrepreneurs have launched a bid to purchase TikTok, including Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary.
“This isn’t just about buying TikTok’s U.S. assets,” he wrote in a Jan. 6 message on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s about something much bigger: protecting the privacy of 170 million American users.”
O’Leary continued, “It’s about empowering creators and small businesses. And it’s about building a platform that prioritizes PEOPLE over algorithms. TikTok has immense potential, not just as a tool for creators but as a driver of meaningful economic and social impact.”
However, O’Leary said he’ll likely need an assist from President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn into office on Jan. 20.
“Trump will be who we have to work with to close the deal in the months ahead,” he explained during a Jan. 6 appearance on Fox News’ The Story with Martha MacCallum, per The Wrap. “So, I wanted to let him know—as well as others in his cabinet—that we’re doing this, and we’re going to need their help.”
General News
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