News
Bolt Restricts Nigeria-South Africa Rides Amid Social Media Prank War
Online taxi firm Bolt has restricted “inter-country” requests between Nigeria and South Africa after a social media rivalry between the two nations escalated into a malicious prank. Drivers were sent on wild goose chases to find non-existent passengers, wasting fuel, time, and money.
The company has identified and blocked users participating in the prank, citing the impact on drivers. Inter-country requests will still work between other countries.
Munyaradzi Chinyama, a Zimbabwean Bolt driver based in Cape Town, told the BBC he received three ride requests before realizing they were not genuine. He wasted a lot of fuel, time, and money.
Chinyama also received insulting messages through the Bolt messaging feature, including being called “Mandela’s son”.
The “Bolt war” started on social media, with users in both countries booking and then cancelling rides as a prank. It is unclear who started the trend, but it has caused chaos for drivers and passengers alike.
Some social media users rallied behind the drivers, saying they were just trying to make a living. “Uber and Bolt drivers are just trying to make ends meet. They aren’t on twitter trolling anyone. They are literally trying to earn an honest living. Please leave them alone. And i’m talking to both sides,” one user wrote.
The “Bolt war” also reportedly caused prices to surge in both countries, leaving many people stranded as they couldn’t afford to pay for their rides. In Nigeria, fuel prices have rocketed in recent months, making the prank even more devastating for drivers.
South Africans and Nigerians often lock horns on social media, with recent rows over the Miss South Africa controversy, popstars, and national football teams. The “Bolt war” is the latest episode in this ongoing online rivalry
ExxonMobil Guyana has announced plans to increase oil production from its Stabroek block by 18,000 barrels per day (bpd). The capacity of the Unity floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel will increase from 252,000 bpd to 270,000 bpd, pending approval from local authorities. ExxonMobil Guyana currently produces 665,000 bpd, and future developments include the Hammerhead project, which aims to produce 120,000-180,000 bpd. The company’s investment is set to further strengthen Guyana’s economy as it grows into a major oil producer.
In political developments, President Irfaan Ali has announced several benefits ahead of Guyana’s upcoming elections. The new incentives include free college tuition and a one-time cash handout of nearly $1,000 per household, benefiting 264,000 families. The minimum wage will also increase from $350 to $500 starting next year, aimed at reducing the cost of living for Guyanese citizens.
Guyana’s economy, bolstered by its growing oil sector, saw a remarkable 60% GDP growth in 2022, the highest in the world, according to the IMF. To further utilize oil revenues, the government is launching various infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools, and a $1.9 billion gas-to-energy initiative.
At the same time, the 115th COTED meeting on agriculture in CARICOM is tackling challenges like climate change and underdeveloped agricultural value chains, working towards the 25 by 2025 Food Security Initiative.
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CARICOM ministers gathered in St. Vincent during the 18th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) to address regional food security and sustainability. Key discussions included the “25 by 2025” initiative, blue economy development, and strategies to enhance intra-regional trade and agriculture. The ministers are also preparing for COP29, pushing for urgent climate action, and seeking financial commitments to protect Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from the impacts of climate change. Notable awards were presented to outstanding farmers for their contributions.
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As Nigerians face mounting economic hardship from soaring petrol prices and inflation, leaders like President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, and Remi Tinubu make insensitive remarks that mock the suffering populace. President Tinubu claims his neoliberal reforms will benefit Nigerians in the future, while Akpabio dismisses citizens fleeing the country’s economic downturn as unpatriotic. With an already devastated middle class and rising poverty, these tone-deaf responses intensify frustrations.
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