iSPECIAL TREASURES THE PEARL OF AFRICA - UGANDA

iSPECIAL MOBILITY ECOSYSTEM

UGANDA │ TREASURE THE PEARL , RIDE SPECIAL MOBILITY │ "MY AFRICAN JOURNEY" : A LANDMARK TOURIST 'MUST READ' BOOK COLLECTION ITEM ABOUT THE PEARL OF AFRICA  – SIR WINSTON LEONARD SPENCER CHURCHILL, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA  ( 30 NOVEMBER 1874  – 24 JANUARY 1965).

Uganda – The Pearl of Africa

Country in East Africa

"Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa whose diverse landscape encompasses the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and immense Lake Victoria. Its abundant wildlife includes Chimpanzees as well as rare birds. Remote Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a renowned mountain gorilla sanctuary. Murchison Falls National Park in the north west is known for its 43 m-tall waterfall and wildlife such as hippos." 

"Uganda is bordered to the East by Kenya, to the North by South Sudan, to the West by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the South-West by Rwanda, and to the South by Tanzania. The Southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda is in the African Great Lakes region. Uganda also lies within the Nile basin and has a varied but generally a modified equatorial climate. It has a population of over 42 million, of which 8.5 million live in the Capital and the largest city Kampala." – Uganda – Wikipedia

The slogan  – the Pearl of Africa – was made famous by Winston Churchill in his 1908 Book entitled "My African Journey" about his trip to Uganda in 1907.

YouTube Video | Explore Uganda , The Pearl of Africa : Rediscover and fall in love with Uganda|#ExploreUganda #UniquelyOurs  👇🏾

Related Sights and Sounds that the Pearl of Africa Offers:

1.  YouTube Video | Displore : Ten (10) Best Places to Visit in Uganda 👇

Winston Churchill was quite enthused about what he found in Uganda as attested by his remarks: "For magnificence, for variety of form and color, for profusion of brilliant life – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale – Uganda is truly "the Pearl of Africa."

Why is Uganda called the Pearl of Africa, and who was the first to use the slogan ?

Most in Uganda today attribute the name "Pearl of Africa" to Winston Churchill. However, almost every other Western Explorer and Discoverer that came to Uganda felt similar sentiments about the country. They spoke in glowing terms about the country they found and referred to as the Pearl of Africa.

Yes, Winston Churchill may not have been the one who first called Uganda the Pearl of Africa albeit he is the one who today is given credit. It was Winston Churchill who popularized it through his book, "My African Journey", a Book that one can buy on amazon.com and the same is strongly recommended to read before venturing into a tumultuous tourism sojourn to Uganda.

The Pearl Tourism Ecosystem: The Key Players in the Industry

• Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities

• Uganda Tourism Board

• Uganda Wildlife Authority

• Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute

• Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

• Giraffe Conservation Foundation

• African Wildlife Foundation

• Uganda Conservation Foundation

• Wildlife Conservation Society

• Association of Uganda Tour Operators

• Uganda Safari Guides Association

• Uganda Hotel Owners' Association

• The Uganda Association of Travel Agents

• Uganda Tourism Association

A shortlist of our Partner Tour Packages

Among our Partner Popular Packages

• 22 Days – The Big Circuit

• 11 Days – Uganda Trail

• 9 Days – Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi

• 8 Days – Rwenzori Mountains

• 7 Days – Round Trip Uganda

• 12 Days – Uganda Birding Safari

• 7 Days – Birding Special

• 5 Days – Mountain Elgon Hiking

• 5 Days – Murchison & Kibale

• 3 Days – Murchison Falls National Park

• 3 Days – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale

• 3 Days – Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi

• 3 Days – Queen Elizabeth National Park

• 2 Days – Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale

• 1 Day Trip – Whitewater Rafting on the Nile

YouTube Video | Sky Travel |Travel Guide || Fifteen (15) Best Places to Visit in Uganda 👇🏾

Other Partner Services

• Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

• Accommodation Reservations

• Ishasha for Tree Climbing Lions

• Student Packages

• Mountaineering in Rwenzori Park

• Bungee Jumping

• Honey Moon Packages

• White Water Rafting and Canoeing

• Primate Safaris

• Birding Safari

A shortlist out of More than 1000 reasons for Visiting and/or Investing in Uganda:

Uganda is indeed the right place, and the time is now!! Visit Uganda , Invest in Uganda now...

Here is why:

• Stable average 5.3% GDP growth in the 5 years to 2019 (pre-COVID) according to The World Bank ;

• Abundant raw materials – minerals, oil and gas, major cash crops creating endless opportunities for value addition;

• Significant business reforms across government spearheaded by Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and Uganda Investment Authority that make it faster and cheaper to set up business in Uganda;

• Reforms and technology investments by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) that have hugely reduced the time and cost of compliance as well as time taken to clear goods;

• Enhanced nationwide transport infrastructure coverage by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) that lowers the time and cost needed to access markets in and around Uganda;

• Border-to-Border Peace and Security;

•A young educated and skilled labour force that is ready to work;

•Central location in Africa coupled with regional integration and trade agreements creates access to a home market of circa 42 million people: East African Community Market of 177 million and over 560 million people under COMESA

• Strategic trade Agreements and Treaties with the US, Europe and China, guarantee access to markets for several goods manufactured in Uganda; 

• Numbers do not lie – we are the most competitive tourism destination in sub-Saharan Africa with the richest and most diverse attractions, moreover, over a smaller geographic area. This guarantees the highest return on investment for tourists and tourism investors alike;

• Abundant electricity with some of the most competitive tariffs for large users in the region.

Courtesy: Muhereza Kyamutetera

Pearl of Africa Snapshot Gallery

■Margherita Peak, Snow capped Mt. Rwenzori

■ New Nile Bridge

■ Entebbe Expressway 

■ Namanve Industrial Park

■ Uganda Parliament

■ Kampala Serena Hotel

iSPECIAL CHAUFFEUR (DRIVER) MOBILIZATION, EVALUATION AND COMPENSATION CRITERIA

iSPECIAL MOBILITY ECOSYSTEM

Human Capital Deployment Strategy

OPINION: EMPLOYEES VS SELF EMPLOYED WORKERS

INTRODUCTION:  

"While gig workers are often viewed as "Self-Employed Persons" or "Independent Contractors" in many jurisdictions and are unable to enjoy protections under labour law, a recent UK Supreme Court decision classified UBER drivers as "Workers" and ruled that they are entitled to a minimum wage, paid leave, and other legal protection. Although the decision is not binding on Ugandan Courts, it is persuasive and sheds light on the classifications of gig workers in general and also has an impact on technology enabled work." – SIGNUM ADVOCATES

UK Supreme Court confirms that UBER drivers are Workers: What does the decision mean for Uganda's Employers and E-Businesses?

Complementary Labour Law Research:

■ UK Statutory Provisions and other standing Case Law:

AUTHORITY 1: CLYDE & CO. LLP AND ANOR (RESPONDENTS) VS BATES VAN WINKELHOF (APPELLANT) [2014] UKSC 32

Paragraph 24:

"First, The natural and ordinary meaning of  'employed by' is employed under a Contract of Service. Our law draws a clear distinction between those who are so employed and those who are Self-Employed but enter into contracts to perform work or services for others."

Paragraph 25:

"Second, within the latter class, law now draws a distinction between two different kinds of Self-Employed people. One kind are people who carry on a profession or a business undertaking on their own account and enter into contracts with clients or customers to provide work or services for them. The arbitrators in Hashwani V Jivraj (London Court of International Arbitration Intervening) [2011] UKSC 40, [2011] 1 WLR 1872 were people of that kind. The other kind are Self-Employed people who provide their services as part of a profession or business undertaking carried on by some-one else. The general medical practitioner in Hospital Medical Group Ltd V West Wood [2012] EWCA Civ, 1005;[2013] ICR 415 , who also provided his services as a hair restoration surgeon to a company offering hair restoration services to the public, was a person of that kind and thus a "worker" within the meaning of section 230(3)(b) of the 1996 Act."

(EMPHASIS ADDED)

■ Persuasive Commonwealth Labour Law on Mutual Obligation Provisions:

AUTHORITY 2: MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE & FOOD VS BARRY& ORS [2008] IEHC 216 (07th July 2008)

"The Appellant contends that there was no evidence before the EAT upon which it could conclude that any Implied Agreement had been reached between the appellant and the respondents to carry out inspection of meat and certification of same on the appellants behalf on an ongoing basis. Nothing in the arrangements that existed as between the parties, which had been reduced to writing, indicates that this was in fact the case. Moreover they say there was significant and uncontested evidence to the contrary before the EAT which it inexplicably chose to overlook. This was to the effect that the appellant had no control over the level of work that was available for TVI's as this was a matter entirely within the control of the processing plants, here Galtee. The appellant was thus unable to give, and did not give a commitment to the respondents at any stage as to the level of work available to them, and the respondents were at all times well aware of this."

"In the Courts view these points are well made. Moreover, the tribunals belief as to the nature of the contractual arrangements between the parties is wholly unclear. The determination speaks not of the implication of a term into a clearly identified contract (whether that contract be one of service or for services), but rather of an implied agreement which could either connote such a contract or, alternatively, an overarching Umbrella Contract."

"The case of O'kelly and Ors Vs. Trust House Forte Plc, [1983] I.C.R 728 provides an example of where the latter type of Contract was contended for. In that case the Banqueting Department of a hotel Company kept a list of some 100 casual catering staff who were known as regulars because they could be relied upon to offer their services regularly and in return were assured of preference in the allocation of available work. These workers claimed to be entitled to unfair dismissal compensation on the basis that they had been employed under a contract of service but the hotel disputed this and contended that they were Independent Contractors supplying Services and not Employees. The issue went before an Industrial Tribunal and the Claimants lost on the basis that the important ingredient of mutuality of obligation was missing."

"The Claimants appealed successfully to an Appeals Tribunal. The Appeals Tribunal decision was in turn appealed to the Court of Appeal. In the course of his judgment Sir Donaldson M.R. said: "Although I,like the Appeal Tribunal , and content to accept the Industrial Tribunals conclusion that there was no overall or Umbrella Contract, I think that there is a shorter answer. It is that giving the applicants evidence its fullest possible weight, all that could emerge was an Umbrella or Master Contract for , not of, employment. It would be a Contract to offer and accept  Individual Contracts of Employment and, as such, outside the Scope of the Unfair dismissal provisions."

(EMPHASIS ADDED)

                         FILE PHOTO/COURTESY: Uganda Parliament Plenary Session

CHAUFFEUR / DRIVER EVALUATION & COMPENSATION

1. Tenor

This refers to the period that one has served the company. Under this criterion, one will be remunerated depending on the number of months/years he/she has served the company. Taking an example from the Platinum category, one who has served the company for four (4) years and above will attain a maximum score of four (4) points.

2. Class

This refers to the number of classes one has attained through out his driving experience. For instance, a chauffeur  who is in possession of  a Licence to drive a small Car, Van, Coach, Bus/Lorry will be awarded a maximum score of Eight (8) points.

3. Hardship

Hardship refers to the challenging situation one experiences while on the job. A Partner who will be allocated a task with a Very High level of Hardship will attain a maximum score of Sixteen (16) points. Such tasks with Very High level of Hardships can be witnessed in projects like Corporate Adhoc Staff Movements. The level of Hardship will have to be confirmed by the Project Supervisor.

4.Status

This refers to one's capacity to drive a particular class of people. These Clients are classified as:

■ VVIP: Very Very Important Person –  which consists of guests/clients like the Presidents, Country Representatives/Ambassadors among other top notch guests/clients.

■ VIP: Very Important Person – This mainly consists of guests/clients like Cabinet Ministers and other Top Government and/or Private Sector C-Suite Officials.

■ Executive: This status categorizes mainly the Management Executives and/or Business class of people.

■ Private: This class is mainly for any other guest or client seeking to maintain a low profile and/or held in high esteem as a customer.

It is upon satisfying either of the qualities stated in the above four aspects that one will be classified under the various categories as given below:

These classifications include:

■ PLATINUM CATEGORY

■ GOLD CATEGORY

■SILVER CATEGORY

■BRONZE CATEGORY

The Aggregate points one has attained from each of the above four mentioned aspects will be used to determine the category under which one falls.

For example:

If one has served the company for more than four (4) years, he attains a maximum of four (4) points. One's Driving License has a class for a Small Car, Van and a Coach, he attains seven (7) points. One's level of Hardship at work is medium, he attains four (4) points. And if one has the capacity to drive a VIP, he will be awarded eleven (11) points. After these scores are summed up, they will give a total of 26 points. Basing on the classification Matrix below, one is able to prove that 26 points are classified under the BRONZE CATEGORY.

CLASSIFICATION MATRIX:

The classification matrices exhibited on the screenshot below gives an effortless comprehension of the grading/categorization procedures:

DEPLOYMENT & DYNAMIC EVALUATION:

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND THE CORRESPONDING SCORE, DEPLOYMENT AND DYNAMIC EVALUATION:

After the categorization of  the Franchise Chauffeur Partners as illustrated above, each partner will be subjected to a Performance analysis that will at end of the month be used to determine the remuneration Pay Scale for the subject Chauffeur. This analysis will be carried out on a daily basis, however, a monthly Report will be produced by the Project Supervisors / Managers and provided to the relevant Contractor Payments Department. The Report will be required one week before the preparation of the Payment Schedule. This is aimed at enabling a prompt release of the Chauffeur  Compensation/Remuneration.

A score for the corresponding Key Performance Indicator has been assigned as illustrated on the relevant matrix from the exhibit screenshot below:

Basing on the performance indicators above, a Daily analysis can potentially yield a maximum total of forty (40) points and a 30 Day month daily analysis  will give a maximum total of 1,200 points.

For example if a chauffeur attains a total of 800 points in a month, his points will be divided by the maximum realizable Total for the subject month being 1,200 points to give a result of 0.7 points. This will be expressed as a percentage by multiplying by 100% to give a percentage of 70 points.

For instance, If a chauffeur falls under the BRONZE CATEGORY as illustrated in the relevant  classification Matrix  from the exhibit screenshot above and has attained a maximum percentage of 70 points in a month , then he will be entitled to a consideration /compensation amount of UGX.200,000/= for the subject month as illustrated in the table above; (excluding the commissions payable against the money worth volume of business generated for the subject month as per the Commission Share Attribute Matrix).

The whole process including the calculations will be automated and the party assigned to carry out this responsibility shall have to enter the correct data report into the template and the attendant consideration shall be generated automatically or the same shall be generated in real-time by recourse to Artificial Intelligence. The Professional Chauffeur Partner shall be paid on a monthly basis a variable rate as per the remuneration structure above or as shall be separately agreed from time to time or Uganda Shillings 150,000/= per month which ever is greater.

FLEET MANAGEMENT PARTNER COMPENSATION

The Partnering Fleet Service Provider Compensation is premised on the Historical Loss Ratio of the Insured as detailed in the relevant Matrix from the screenshot above. The insured enjoys discounts on a sliding scale that rewards improvement in the Loss Ratio applicable for the subsequent insurance period. Please Note that the Premium Surcharge is derived by applying the Factors given in the Matrix for the respective Loss Ratio and Fleet/Driver Count as declared by the Insured and mutually agreed by the Insurance Company and the Partnering Service Provider.

iSPECIAL ECOSYSTEM COMMISSION SHARE MATRICES

iSPECIAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP ECOSYSTEM

iSPECIAL MOBILITY ECOSYSTEM

Strategic Partnership and Collaboration Aspirations

FOREWORD│ MAK AND STANBIC DISCUSS PARTNERSHIP BEYOND BANKING

At the beginning of the second quarter instant (Q2:2021), and upon being prompted by the Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor – Finance and Administration (DVCFA), Dr. Josephine Nabukenya's engagement with Ms. Anne Juuko, Chief Executive, Stanbic Bank Uganda (SBU); Makerere University convened a Special Session of the members of the Central Management with a view to partner with SBU in delivering the University ten year Strategic Objectives. The vision for the ten year (2020 -2030) Strategic Plan is : "a thought leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development."

"Makerere University's first Strategic goal to translate into a research-led University requires a lot of thinking through on how the different services can be rehabilitated into frameworks that support our vision," remarked Dr. Nabukenya.

The Ag. DVCFA was speaking in reference to the Research and Innovation Ecosystem that needs to be created to ensure that Makerere's research will over the next 10 years have demonstrable economic, environmental, health and social impact.

"The Vice Chancellor appreciated the Ag.DVCFA for initiating the discussion with SBU, noting that this was timely and would help take advantage of the huge potential that the University has to offer; "Thanks to funding from the Government of Uganda through the Makerere Research and Innovation Fund (Mak-RIF) we now have hundreds of Innovations produced by various research teams."

"Our biggest problem at present is the lack of funds to commercialize these innovations. Uganda has no Venture Capitalists but I believe that with the resources that you (SBU) have, we can work together to help support these Innovations," remarked Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

Prior to making her presentation, Ms. Anne Juuko thanked Makerere University for supporting SBU's business thus far, as well as ensuring that the two partners enjoy a quality relationship with each others successive Management Teams. "We take extra pride when it comes to working with Makerere University," she added.

Further Ms. Juuko said that the reorganization of SBU in 2018 to include a Holding Company: Stanbic Holdings Uganda Limited (SHUL) had enabled the entity to enhance the value of the products and services offered to its customers. In addition to SBU,other SHUL subsidiaries include: Stanbic Properties Uganda Limited, FlyHub and SBG Securities , these, she noted enabled Stanbic to offer a broader range of services beyond banking."

"Reflecting on the signing of the Host Government Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the EACOP Company – a precursor Agreement leading to the Final Investment Decision (FID) which was signed on 11th April 2021, the CE shared that SBU in line with its support for responsible Investment through assessing and managing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks would take keen interest in Oil Production. "One of the hottest topics is that Oil mining is going to take place in one of the most ecologically sensitive zones. How can we partner with Makerere to ensure that this is conducted in a sustainable way?" she pondered.

"The CE also brought to the attention of the University Central Management that SBU had in 2020 partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch the Youth4Business Innovation and Entrepreneurial Facility as an answer to youth unemployment. As a way forward, she added that Makerere would be brought on board to form a three-way conversation on how best to achieve the facility's Objectives, especially following disruptions to Micro, Small, and Medium (MSME's) operations caused by COVID-19.

Courtesy: news.mak.ac.ug  By: Mark Wamai

Extra of Anne Juuko's Related Nuggets of  Wisdom:

"Success in the Corporate world is delivering Value to a larger Society. For Success, Open yourself to Cooperation and Collaboration. The solution is in partnership." – Anne Juuko, Chief Executive Stanbic Uganda. She was speaking to the need to be agile in a changing world.

Partnership Engagement Mechanics

A. iSpecial/Quartz/MNO/Hertz customers pay using Cash, Debit Card/Credit Cards, and/or Mobile Money/Airtel Money to the Service Centre as they come to buy Partner Retail Chain Goods and Services. The Physical  Cash is later banked In-house within the Service station and/or remitted/deposited to the iSpecial/Quartz/Hertz collection Account;

B. The surplus Physical Cash from the Service Centre is exchanged with the surplus Electronic Money held by the iSpecial/Quartz/Hertz Super Agency terminal domiciled at the Service Centre;

C. The Electronic Money from the Partner Service Centre shall be remitted to the MNO Head Office Treasury Department while, the Physical Cash now held by iSpecial/Quartz/Hertz Super Agency will be distributed to the Aggregated Mobile Money outlets clustered around the participating Partner Service Stations;

D. The MNO Head Office in the capacity of a Trust Party of the Partner Service Centre and iSpecial/Quartz/Hertz/Super Agency will on a quid pro quo basis remit the Electronic Mobile Money Float and realize the Electronic Funds Transfer from the parties respectively using the Third Party platforms at their disposal as shall be mutually agreed by the parties and specifically provided for in  (E) and (F) below.

E. The liquidity portfolio re-balancing between the parties shall be managed via the online banking platform by use of a combination of the Collection Accounts and the Inter-party Settlement Accounts;

F. The parties will then have the responsibility to trigger the Electronic Funds Transfer to the MNO Head Office Treasury Department as per the agreed mandate to operate the Escrow/Inter-Party Settlement Account at the Bank;

G. The Head Office treasury shall then dispose the Aggregated Partner obligations in respect of the Business to Business Supply Chain to enable it access the requisite products;

H. The Business to Business Unit will then supply the Bulk Products to the Service Stations as per their requisite Products. (This applies to a downstream Oil distribution Partner)

Concluding Remark:

The parties shall mutually benefit from the enhanced customer acquisition at the Service Stations that will translate into enhanced performance while eliminating any redundant Physical Cash at the site warranting a Physical movement to the Bank.

Execution Strategy

1. Pylon Signage

This will provide a directional /informative function to both the actual and potential customers.

2. Shop-in-Shop

With this strategy, the outlets shall be fully furnished with teller Counters with sub-divisions for bulk and small transactions.

3. Partner Aggregation

The scheme seeks to canvas the Partnership Retail Network to embrace an additional Revenue stream that arises from leveraging the attendant Economies of scale premised on Strategic Partnerships.

4. Target Setting

Targets for all locations are to be set basing on the area performance and along this basis the outlets will be categorized in terms of:

Platinum │ Diamond │ Gold │Silver │ Bronze

5. In-House Banking

This will help to promote quick and easy transfer of funds through deposits and withdrawals using Bank and Mobile Money Platforms domiciled at the Service Station.

6. iSpecial Mobility Ecosystem

The Top Tier - Down Stream Oil Distribution Retail Network Operators  shall also promote the iSpecial Mobility Ecosystem business Model. Through this Strategy, Ride-hailing , Car Hire/Rental/Lease  bookings shall be made and coordinated within the Service Stations.

iSPECIAL GROUND TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURE

iSPECIAL MOBILITY ECOSYSTEM

In-Country and/or Transient End User Ground Transportation Procedure

 FOREWORD: "Incredible innovations within the transportation sector are being driven by the growing recognition that cars, once synonymous with freedom and ease of mobility, have become a victim of their own success. In cities around the world, congestion is undermining mobility, imposing huge costs not just on commuters or people out to run a simple errand but on society as whole."

"The problem that confronts transportation planners is that adding new infrastructure capacity to relieve congestion is notoriously slow and costly. Given the environmental issues to be explored, land to be acquired, permits obtained, people moved, and construction undertaken, it can take years , if not decades, to go from conception to delivery. Yet there are innovative new ways of making more efficient use of existing infrastructure already coming onto the scene."

"The arrival of  the 'information everywhere' world has opened up new opportunities to make the existing transportation network far more efficient and user friendly. Coupled with new transportation capacity, the changes spurred by technological changes and the innovations it inspires will help preserve freedom of mobility in the 21st century. Services like real-time ride-sharing and car sharing for instance, are helping urbanites get around without owning a car – and are making the private vehicle a de-facto extension of the public transportation system."

"New apps are allowing commuters to compare the time, cost, convenience, carbon footprint and health benefits across all modes of public and private transport, broadening their range of choices and allowing for on-the -fly decision making that takes into account real-time conditions. For their part, automakers are focused on next generation "connected vehicles" that can access, consume, create and share information with other vehicles and surrounding infrastructure in real time – improving traffic flow and safety. And dynamic pricing mechanisms for roads, parking spaces and shared-use assets are helping balance supply and demand, much the same way the airline and hotel industry have been pricing seats and rooms for years."

"The result of these innovations – and of the ecosystem of creative players that have been drawn to transportation, from information technology companies to ride-sharing pioneers to app makers – is that the mobility field will look very different going forward. It will be:

• Massively networked. with ubiquitous connectivity throughout the system;
• Dynamically priced. so as to balance supply and demand;
• User centered. taking into account users' needs, priorities, data flows, and dynamic responses to conditions;
• Integrated. so that users can move easily from point A to point B, regardless of mode, service provider, or time of day;
• Reliant on new models of private-public collaboration. which take advantage of the increasingly diverse ecosystem of public, private, and nonprofit entities that are working to meet the mobility challenges of the 21st century.

Courtesy: Tiffany Dovey Fishman, carrealtime.com

HZiQZProject – Trailblazer Stakeholder Virtual Presentation

iSpecial – Go Motoring in Three Easy Steps

Smart Mobility Ecosystem

Ground Transportation Process Highlight

• Reservation
• Execution
• Documentation for Data Capture (Traditional) / Self-Service Portal (Modern)
• Reconciliation
• Billing
• Payment

Ground Transportation Document Exhibits

• Vehicle Order Form/Vehicle Booking Voucher
• Journey Invoice
  
• Journey Cash Receipt
  
• Vehicle Booking Voucher
  
• Ground Transportation – Vehicle Revenue Return
  
• Debit Note Statement
  

Reservation

This is attained by filling out a vehicle order form. This form is filled by the contract administrator and/or his/her designate or by calling our Ground Transportation Desk.

The order form is divided into two parts:

1. Airport Transfer/Taxi
2. Car Rental

Further, it spells out the following among others:

1. The client Details and Flight information.
2. The point for pre-positioning the vehicle
3. Transaction Code

The contract administrator or their designate will endorse the form in the space provided as a mark of authorizing the transaction.

The beneficiary / client will endorse the form as a mark of being a recipient of the service.

The professional chauffeur/Driver will sign the order form as an acknowledgement of having been assigned the job.

Execution

This is attained by assigning a chauffeur to the service beneficiary who in turn takes instructions from him/her. The assignment of the driver is effected by our Coordinator stationed at either our Operations Base or Coordination facility at the client premises.

Documents for Data Capture

Vehicle Order Form:

This form is filled out by the Contract Administrator and/or his/her designate to reflect the time, type of vehicle, destination and kilometres covered in respect of a given transaction. The Supervisor signs to confirm authorization of the driver to handle that transaction. Driver signs in acceptance to carry out that transaction.

Journey Invoice :

Like any other Demand Note, the Invoice contains all the particulars of the transaction. The requisite particulars captured include among others: driver's names, vehicle type, client's names, chargeable kilometres, waiting charges and type of job/transaction - either local run and/or Airport transfers and/or Car Rental.

The client must sign against the amount charged for the distance covered before the Demand Note/Invoice is taken to the Contract Administrator for posting and filing. The original copy of the Invoice is held in the clients custody to facilitate periodic reconciliation.

Journey Cash Receipt:

This contains every particular that is found on the Invoice leaf. The only difference being the function. Whereas the Invoice is used to bill "a post paid" client, the receipt voucher is used to receive cash from "a Pay as You Go" client/s who exercise the cash payment option.

Vehicle Booking Voucher

This is generated by the client asking iSpecial to carry out a particular transaction on a particular date. This document shows the name of the client , flight details (date & time), it also shows whether its an airport drop or pick up.

This booking voucher is signed by the Contract Administrator and/or his designate. Booking vouchers are originated by the client using own stationery format. This voucher can be used in place of a vehicle Order Form.

Ground Transportation - Vehicle Revenue Return :

A single vehicle may carry out more than one transaction in a shift of twelve hours, a driver therefore is expected to keep track of all the transactions carried out at all times.

This return is used by the driver who is responsible for entering every transaction carried out at a time. This document contains the client code which is the serial number of the transaction carried out by the driver, guest's / client's name, Room No./Card No./NIN/Passport No. among others. Each transaction must have an order form, invoice in case of  charge accounts, and receipts in case of cash transactions. All these documents have serial numbers which are entered on to this form (VRR) and the physical copies attached onto the return for follow up.

At the end of every shift , the entire information is collected from the Vehicle Revenue Return and posted into the iSpecial system.

Reconciliation :

At the end of the month, this data is compiled and submitted to the client aggregator for reconciliation. This action serves to ensure that the information we have in the iSpecial Mobility system tallies with what the Client Aggregator has in their system.

A reconciliation statement ( iSpecial Debit Note endorsed by the Client Aggregator) is returned to iSpecial Mobility office as an acknowledgement of the bill charged by iSpecial Mobility.

Billing

On receipt of an approved reconciliation statement / detailed transaction summary report, iSpecial Mobility will send a Demand Note/Tax Invoice to the Client Aggregator (Hotel, Company, Apartment Block, Condominium Management, Staff Quarters, Project Site, etc) for payment of the amount due.

Payment

The payment once processed shall be electronically transferred as per the payment details availed to the Client Aggregator by iSpecial Mobility.

TREASURE THE PEARL, RIDE SPECIAL MOBILITY – ACRISS BENCHMARK FLEET GUIDE

1) GROUP B (EDAR) , GROUP C (CCAR), GROUP D (IDAR), GROUP E (SFAR) 

2) GROUP F (FDAR), GROUP H (PDAR), GROUP I (LDAR), GROUP J (SDAR)

3) GROUP K (FFBR), GROUP L (PFBR / PJAR), GROUP M (FVAR) , GROUP N (LFAR)

4) GROUP ZP2 , GROUP ZB3 ,GROUP ZB1

iSPECIAL CAR LEASING

iSPECIAL MOBILITY ECOSYSTEM

Car Leasing Business Model

Foreword: In 1959, Charles W. Steadman stated: "[This] leasing activity is confined almost entirely to the United States. It is a peculiarly American answer to the problem of the lack of adequate resources...." Mr. Steadman attributed this peculiarity to "rising costs and the inadequate depreciation policies of the federal government's tax program."

Many Organizations and/or Individuals prefer leasing to buying because it allows one to drive a New Car by making periodic payments without necessarily having to constrain their cash flows by making a lump sum upfront payment to acquire the subject asset. Primarily the lessee has the option to either execute a Finance Lease or an Operating Lease; the distinction between the two is that whereas the former offers the option to purchase at the end of the term, the latter quite often does not.

The acquisition of a recent and dependable fleet entails a number of time and resource consuming procedures which one would rather avoid if there was an alternative.

According to Godfrey Jjuuko, the Executive Chief Consultant and Settlor, iSpecial Mobility, a majority of clients exercise the option to execute Operating Leases owing to the very low monthly rental payments which are premised on the depreciation attributable to the lessee over the usage period. The above depreciation is determined by categorizing the users broadly into three bands viz. Low, Medium and High Usage.

The key aspiration on our part (iSpecial Mobility) is to conserve the clients liquidity by leveraging the economies of scale and by so doing strengthening their potential for competition and make the attendant savings in expenditure of resources that are reputed for being scarce.

Leasing Guidelines and Definition

Jjuuko defines a lease as an agreement between the owners of the asset (the lessor) and the prospective or current user of the subject asset (the lessee), in accordance with the agreement, the lessor transfers the use (but not the ownership) of the asset to the lessee.

He says the lessee in turn compensates the lessor for the use of the asset, usually in the form of rent and after a predetermined period of use ( lease term), which should not exceed the asset's economic life – the lessee returns the asset to the owner.

Types of Leases

According to Jjuuko, there are many types of transactions referred to as leases some of which , from a legal standpoint, do not constitute into being leases. The two main types of leases are Finance Leases and Operating Leases.

"The Whole Business Securitization Ecosystem entails a simultaneous execution of the Finance and Operating Leases to the benefit of the iSpecial Mobility End User. As iSpecial Mobility, we are a  leasing Special Purpose Entity (SPE) independent of the manufacturer or Supplier AND act as a catalyst in the financing function to the benefit of the End User." ─ Godfrey Jjuuko

DALIFA Trust Holdings Limited (DTH) acts like a master trust in that the notes issued by DTH are typically backed by a shared revolving collateral pool consisting primarily of vehicles. Notes are issued by DTH in one or more series, each of which may have one or more classes of notes with fixed and/or floating rates of interest.

Further, Jjuuko asserts that pursuant to a master motor vehicle operating lease, DTH leases the vehicles it owns to iSpecial Mobility (SPE) and in turn iSpecial makes a monthly lease payment to DTH which is sized to cover Interest, Vehicle Depreciation and other Transaction Expenses. At the tail end, iSpecial Mobility uses the vehicles to execute ride-hailing, hire, rent and lease services in its domestic and international markets. "The prospective End User should only have demonstrated a profitable historical operation and ability to meet its financial obligations,"  he said.

He says vehicles are maintained to the highest possible standard as prescribed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

Highlight: Operating lease terms and conditions

• The Lessee will be responsible for the payment of the first 10% on any insurance claims involving the leased vehicle;
• The monthly lease rate includes complete routine servicing not to mention the mandatory first service for new vehicles that takes place at the initial 1,000 kilometers;
• Repairs that a result of normal wear and tear are covered under the Operating Lease rate;
• iSpecial Mobility guarantees a replacement vehicle in event that the leased one is turned in for service or repairs.

Further, iSpecial Mobility subscribes to the stellar International 40 points benchmark check list on all leased vehicles after completion of service or repairs prior to delivery of the motor vehicle to the customer so as to ensure that all vehicles are in excellent condition at all times. The iSpecial Mobility services entail the Top Tier League - Car Lease Industry rule of thumb that under normal circumstances the car should not be moved until permission for the same is given by its vehicle maintenance specialists.

The length of the lease period depends on a predetermined end of the economic useful life predicated on the Environmental, Social  and Governance (ESG) international benchmarks applicable in the iSpecial Domestic Market and the usage options at the disposal of the End User as dictated by own (lessee) cash flows and peculiar preferences. The Rental payments are monthly and payable in advance starting immediately after delivery of the leased vehicles or as shall be mutually agreed on a case by case basis.

Before iSpecial Mobility undertakes to order for the vehicle to be leased , the lessee shall deposit a sum equivalent to 0-30% of the acquisition value which depends on a credit evaluation matrix premised on benchmark parameters supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The motor vehicles shall always be fully insured by the lessee.

Further, iSpecial Mobility shall provision for a cost recovery of the regular maintenance and repair of the leased motor vehicle/s that shall be clawed back from the lessee as recommended by the manufacturer and the  attendant Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) matrix predicated on the Lessee usage portfolio.

Concluding Remarks  

The iSpecial Mobility Ecosystem seeks to facilitate the Domestic Market Taxpayer Conservation of Cash; Tax wise financing of the required motor vehicles to conduct Business/Private Operations; Concentration of the available limited funds towards execution of Core Revenue/Income Generating Activities at the Disposal of the End User; Steering clear from the Risk of Obsolescence arising from Outright Private/Public Vehicle Ownership, And the attendant lack of In-Usage and/or Post-Usage ACRISS  and/or DISPOSAL Flexibility to match the taste of a discerning End User. The above is accomplished by offering the End User a range of services that include: Ride-hailing Fleet Services intermediated by independently accredited and aggregated Bailees within the proximity of the End User; Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly Car Rental Services AND over One Year to Eight Years Vehicle Operating Lease Payment Terms predicated on iSpecial Mobility economic usage bands at the disposal of the End User.

 By: iSpecial Mobility - DALIFAiSPECIAL Business Reporting Team