Third Mainland Bridge | Photo: Mansur Ibrahim
The Lagos state government has directed all e-hailing operators to present their cars for mandatory inspection as part of efforts to enhance safety, service quality, and regulatory compliance across the sector.
In a directive announced by Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the commissioner for transportation, during a recent engagement with e-hailing operators in Ikeja, the government raised concerns over the poor conditions of some vehicles operating under licensed e-hailing platforms.
Osiyemi said vehicles deemed unfit will be barred from operating on Lagos roads.
He also raised the alarm over increasing safety risks for motorists and substandard service delivery by some operators, stating that the government is committed to protecting lives and property and will not tolerate practices that jeopardise public safety.
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The commissioner expressed concern over the lack of robust databases among many e-hailing platforms, which hampers the tracking of discrepancies and criminal activities.
He warned that sanctions would be enforced where necessary.
Olawale Musa, permanent secretary of the ministry, said unregistered vehicles will no longer be tolerated due to the security risks they pose.
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He underscored the importance of maintaining up-to-date data within the ministry’s digital system to regulate the transport sector effectively.
Musa urged all drivers to be registered and certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), warning operators that non-compliance could lead to licence suspension.
He also advised Lagosians to avoid booking e-hailing rides offline to ensure safety features and accountability mechanisms embedded in the apps are not bypassed.
Representatives from licensed e-hailing platforms, including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv, shared updates on recent safety and accountability enhancements such as improved driver verification, mandatory licence checks, panic buttons, and refined onboarding and off-boarding processes.
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