By Kazeem Awojoodu, Ibadan

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde and the Minister of Industry, Trades and Investment, H.E. Adeniyi Adebayo on Thursday launched a new ride-hailing service in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Codenamed: ‘AFRICAR’, the ride-hailing service was launched at a well-attended ceremony with over One-Hundred and Fifteen vehicles.

Speaking at the event, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State appreciated AFRICAR, noting that choosing Ibadan as its first base in ride-hailing service, attests to the business-friendly atmosphere for investors, made possible by his administration.

Naijanewshub.com.ng reports that Governor Makinde said the introduction of the service into Ibadan is in line with his administration’s goal to invite new investors into the State.

Governor Makinde, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Ogunwuyi, also said he is delighted to witness another demonstration of his administration’s commitment to make life comfortable for residents of the State.

“I am very delighted to be at the event of today which is a further demonstration of our administration’s commitment to making life comfortable for our people and thereby improving the socio-economic activities of the citizenry and the state at large”, he said.

Noting that transportation is evidently important for economic activity and social life in a state, the Governor added that the current economic status of Oyo State is due to many factors, chief among these factors is the development and continuous improvement of our public transport system.

“The State has witnessed and as a matter of fact still witnessing a tremendous growth in the Transport sector since the inception of this Administration in the areas of Transport Infrastructures and procurement of Vehicles for Mass Transit”, he said.

Makinde said as part of his administration’s efforts to improve the transportation sector in the State, he has purchased 109 buses for mass transit tagged ‘Omituntun Bus Mass Transit’.

He also said he has constructed four (4) Bus Terminals at Iwo road, Challenge, and Ojo to ease commuting in the State capital.

Congratulating Stallion Group, owners of AFRICAR, the Governor expressed hope that the launch will birth more interesting fruits as the Group collaborates with his Government for the well-being of the people of Oyo State.

Also speaking, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, H.E. Niyi Adebayo appreciated Stallion Group, a home-grown conglomerate, commending them for adding value to the economy of the country for the past 52 years.

The Minister also thanked Governor Seyi Makinde for the welcoming environment that has been provided to Africar.

He added that Africar’s platform has the potential to transform the transportation industry in the state, providing both employment opportunities and low-cost rides.

According to the CEO, AFRICAR, Mr. Sahil Vaswani, all of the cars being used for this project are assembled in Lagos at Stallion Group’s Von Plant.

He said Africar, in Partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has developed the Bajaj Qute cars used for the new ride hailing taxi.

“This car is assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians and is environmentally friendly, with 50% lower carbon emissions than the average car”, he said.

The event was also attended by the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, who hailed the infusion of a new ride-hailing service into the transportation system in the state.

Other dignitaries at the event were the top Government functionaries and the Executives of AFRICAR.