Stakeholders drawn from the transportation sector and law enforcement agencies have canvassed the need for collaborative approach, increased safety education as well as standardized regulations to address security challenges arising from ride-hailing services in Nigeria.
Timothy Oladimeji ,Country Representative, inDrive Nigeria who spoke at the inDrive Safety Education Summit held recently in Lagos stated that the summit was conceived with the aim of fashioning out insights that would help the platform to work with other stakeholders with a view to ensuring safety of both drivers and riders while also bridging users’ education gap about its safety features.
Oladimeji explained that safety remains a collective responsibility which all stakeholders including riders and drivers must take cognizance of.
He disclosed that inDrive has invested heavily on technology to improve its safety features such that even before a rider gets on a trip, safety is already guaranteed.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, who was represented by Adebayo Olusoji, Director, Public Transport and Commuter Services (PTCS), described the gathering as a testament to the collective commitment of stakeholders to creating safer environments for citizens.
At a panel session titled” Strengthening Driver & Passenger Trust”, Osiyemi explained that it has become imperative to strengthen collaborations, and address the challenges faced in the journey towards safer urban mobility.
Highlighting some of the steps necessary to make urban mobility safe, he identified the need to prioritize strengthening of interagency coordination through concerted efforts of various government bodies, transport authorities, law enforcement, and even private sector players must come together
According to him, creating streamlined communication channels and fostering a spirit of collaboration among these entities would open doors to innovative solutions that address the pressing issues of traffic congestion, road safety, and emergency response.
He also pointed out the need to standardize safety regulations across boards adding that by doing so, all operators and transport systems will be held to the same high level of safety, regardless of location or mode of transport.
Ayodele Ologun, Superintendent Route Commander, Federal Road Safety Corp, Lagos Command, revealed that the law enforcement agency is doing a lot within its power to ensure that passengers, riders and drivers are safe.
