The Lagos State Government has ordered all vehicles operating under licensed e-hailing platforms to undergo compulsory inspection, citing safety hazards, declining service standards, and breaches of transport regulations.
In a statement on Sunday titled “LASG to Roll Out Inspection Schedule for E-Hailing Operators,” Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the measure is intended to strengthen passenger safety, enhance service quality, and enforce full compliance with the state’s transport laws.
“We have observed the deplorable condition of some vehicles operated by drivers on licensed e-hailing platforms in the state, which has made it necessary to carry out a comprehensive audit of all vehicles in use. Any vehicle found to be unsuitable will be prohibited from operating on Lagos roads,” Osiyemi stated.
The Commissioner also expressed concern over inadequate databases maintained by certain operators, warning that such gaps obstruct efforts to trace crimes committed through their services.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, maintained that the use of vehicles not registered with the state “will no longer be tolerated,” stressing that the practice “poses significant security risks.”
“All drivers must be certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute,” Musa said, advising residents to avoid offline bookings to safeguard safety and accountability.
The directive follows a meeting at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja, attended by representatives from Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv. The companies provided updates on safety features, including panic buttons and enhanced driver verification systems.
Osiyemi stated that the inspection timetable will be applied uniformly to all operators, reaffirming the state’s commitment to maintaining safe roads and ensuring passengers receive dependable and secure services.