Lagos Mandates Inspection of All E-Hailing Vehicles

The Lagos State Government has mandated a thorough inspection of all vehicles operating under licensed e-hailing platforms, citing growing concerns over safety risks and declining service standards.

In a statement released on Sunday, titled “LASG to Roll Out Inspection Schedule for E-Hailing Operators,” the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance safety, improve service quality, and ensure strict regulatory compliance within the e-hailing sector.

Osiyemi noted that the ministry had observed the deteriorating condition of several vehicles used by e-hailing drivers, prompting the need for a statewide audit. He warned that any vehicle deemed unfit during the inspection process would be barred from operating on Lagos roads.

The Commissioner also expressed concern over the poor data management systems used by some operators, stating that the lack of reliable databases makes it difficult to trace criminal activities linked to their services.

Supporting this stance, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, stressed that the operation of vehicles not duly registered with the state would no longer be tolerated, labeling such practices as serious security threats.

Musa further insisted that all e-hailing drivers must obtain certification from the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute and advised residents to avoid using offline ride bookings to safeguard their security and ensure accountability.

A stakeholder meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, brought together representatives from major ride-hailing platforms including Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv. During the meeting, operators shared updates on safety enhancements such as the introduction of panic buttons and improved driver verification systems.