As part of its new drive to grow youths’ engagement and self employment, leading telecoms group, MTN Nigeria has partnered Lagos State Government to create conducive environment for commuters by introducing Bus Shelter Kiosks initiative.
The deal is to construct about 50 major bus stops, fitted with kiosks, where young people would retail phones and MTN products.
First set of beneficiary bus stops include the Saka Tinubu bus stop, Adeola Odeku Street, all in Victoria Island, Lagos, and others are underway. The first phase of the project would kick-off with the roll-out of 10 kiosks strategically located
Aside empowering the beneficiaries of the project, the bus shelter kiosks will also serve as touch points where MTN customers can access service offerings and query resolutions. Services like SIM swaps and bill payments will also be added as soon as possible.
Explaining more on the new initiative, the Chief Operating Officer of MTN Nigeria, Muhammed Zia Siddiqui, said the initiative will not only serve as an empowerment platform, it will also positively impact the socio-economic status of the people of Lagos State.
He said “We are committed to touching lives, and this initiative is a strong expression of that aspiration. The bus shelter kiosk project will serve as a platform for some of our unemployed youth to earn a living.”
Giving more remarks, the acting Sales and Distribution Executive of MTN, Adekunle Adebiyi, noted that the kiosks will leverage cutting-edge technology to drive superior customer service just as is obtainable in other MTN Friendship centres across the country.
He noted further saying, ‘’We are kicking off with the roll-out of the first batch of 10 bus shelter kiosks which will be sited in designated bus stops in Lagos Island and Mainland. The idea is to build capacity for 50 people across Lagos,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Taiwo Idowu, the Managing Director of Touch Point Nigeria Limited, co-partners with MTN on the project, stated that the bus shelter kiosks will achieve the triple objectives of making public transportation more appealing for people of the state, provide an organized retail structure that will promote a clutter-free platform for the sale of products and services as well as encourage economic empowerment through youth employment.
Also present at the event was the Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, who stressed that the initiative complements the Lagos State Government’s goal of making transportation seamless in the state.
In his words: ‘’We will like to use this opportunity to thank MTN for their continuous efforts towards supporting the wealth creation initiative of the Lagos State Government and also constructing these bus-stops to enhance mobility of commuters around the Lagos metropolis. This is laudable and we urge other companies to take a cue from MTN,’’ he said.
