Help for Motorists as Meco Finder Launches in Lagos

by Benneth Oghifo 

A s from the first week of next month, motorist in Lagos will be able to locate mechanics and other service providers like auto electricians, panel beaters, among others, following the launch of an app for this purpose.

Motorist, who desire the app are to log onto the website-www. mecofinder.com, and download the app, and follow all the prompting. The motorist also needs to enable the GPS on the device used to download the app in order to enjoy the features.

Though the plan is to make the app usable to motorists in all parts of the country, the promoters say it will “Start with Lagos and plan to move to other parts of the country subsequently”.

Lead designer of the app, Adekoye Damilare said at the launch of the app this week in Lagos, said “It uses the latitude and longitude features etc incorporated in the google geo location application to make it more user-friendly.”

He added that his company verifies the service providers before they are allowed to feature on the site, and that there is also a feature for motorists to comment on the services rendered so as to rate them.

Kehinde Adekeye, in charge of subscription and payment said the company is out to provide convenience and competence to motorists, and that it takes only N1000 for service providers to be listed on the site for a six-month period.

He said mechanics can make “Instant direct payment with USSD code, or payment can be done directly from your bank account. Or pay cash.

A director of the company, Olu Omoyemi  said,  “We are hoping that Nigerians will find this application useful, while looking out for competent mechanics, Vulcanizers and other technicians associated with the automobile”.

The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for Surulere, Olatunji Oguntoye commended the brains behind the creation of Meco Finder, and urged them to ensure that only suitably qualified technicians are allowed on the platform.

He also observed that if the app was used appropriately, then it would help to clear obstructions on the road and assist in reducing road traffic crashes.

He, however, advised that a link for genuine spare parts be incorporated into the app.

The unveiling was also witnessed by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LATSMA), members of technician/motor mechanic association among others.

and an added bonus of over 200 years working experience combined on all sorts of automobiles” said Gbenga Omolokun; Managing Director, Germaine Auto Centre. “Dedicated resources have also been put in place to manage this process to ensure driver-partner satisfaction as well as quick turnaround.”

The vehicle maintenance package, which Uber driver-partners in Nigeria have access to, has gone live after a rigorous two-month, successful pilot. According to Toba, an Uber driver-partner: “I was extremely happy when I heard about this new arrangement between Uber and Germaine Auto Centre – vehicle maintenance was one of the issues driver-partners had raised during the focus groups, and I’m glad that  Uber listened to us and created a useful partnership like this. I visited the Germaine Auto Centre in Lekki to have my vehicle serviced, and I’m glad to say that the whole experience was extremely professional and affordable.”

Uber’s mission is to help people get a ride at the push of a button – everywhere and for everyone. We started in 2009 to solve a simple problem – how do you get a ride at the touch of a button? Six years and over two billion trips later, we’ve started tackling an even greater challenge: reducing congestion and pollution in our cities by getting more people into fewer cars.

The Uber network is now available in over 475 cities in over 75 countries spanning 6 continents.