Oluwaseun Osiyemi Archives

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LASG To Roll Out Inspection Schedule For E-Hailing Operators

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The Lagos State Government has mandated all e-hailing operators to ensure that their drivers present their vehicles for inspection, in a move aimed at improving safety, service quality, and regulatory compliance across the sector. The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this at a recent engagement with the operators at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja. He stated that the Ministry has observed the deplorable condition of some vehicles operated by drivers under licensed e-hailing platforms within the State, necessitating a comprehensive audit of all vehicles in use. According to him, any vehicle found unsuitable will not be allowed to operate on Lagos roads. He further decried the growing safety concerns for motorists and the poor service delivery by some operators, stressing that the State Government is committed to safeguarding lives and property, and will not tolerate practices that endanger Lagosians. In addition, the Commissioner raised concerns over the lack of robust databases among many e-hailing platforms, making it difficult to track discrepancies and criminal activities perpetrated through their services. He warned that the Ministry will not hesitate to enforce sanctions where necessary. Speaking on the same issue, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olawale Musa emphasised that the use of vehicles not registered with the Lagos State Government will no longer be tolerated. He noted that such practices hinder effective tracking and pose significant security risks. According to him, the Ministry will strictly enforce penalties for any infractions. He explained that the digital system developed by the Ministry requires up-to-date data to enable effective regulation of the transportation sector. He added that all drivers must be duly registered and certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI), urging operators to comply or risk suspension of their licenses. The Permanent Secretary further urged Lagosians to stop booking e-hailing rides offline to avoid bypassing the safety features and accountability mechanisms built into the apps. In response, representatives of licensed e-hailing platforms shared updates on recent upgrades aimed at improving safety and accountability. These include enhanced driver verification systems, mandatory license checks, panic buttons, and improved onboarding/offboarding procedures. The Commissioner concluded the meeting with a call to action, urging all e-hailing operators to conduct their businesses with empathy, prioritising public safety and customer satisfaction over profit-making. He also reminded them to settle all outstanding licensing documentation and resolve all necessary regulatory requirements. Stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives from Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv.

Lagos Records Over Two Million Passengers on Blue Line Rail

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago24 mins

The Lagos State Government has revealed that over Two Million passengers have been transported on the Blue Line Rail since its launch, while state-run buses move an average of 42,000 commuters daily. Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this during the Year 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa. The event marked the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, showcasing major strides in the transport sector under the THEMES Plus Agenda. Osiyemi highlighted that the Lagos State Transport Policy, launched in May 2024, is now in its implementation phase, focusing on inclusivity, safety, affordability, and sustainability. On rail developments, he noted that Phase I of the Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) has served over two million passengers, with Phase II (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko) in progress, adding that Phase I of the Red Line (Agbado to Oyingbo) is now operational with eight stations and additional rolling stocks procured, while Phase II (Oyingbo to link Blue Line at National Theatre) is underway. In the State-owned bus operations, he revealed that over 60 million commuters have been served since 2019, with daily ridership exceeding 40,000, noting that plans are on to deploy new buses with Quality Bus Corridors under construction. The Abule Egba Bus Terminal has also been commissioned. For water transport, Osiyemi stated that 15 locally-built Omibus Ferries have been launched and are in operation, with the Ijegun Egba Terminal now open. He said the OMI EKO project, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), will deliver 25 terminals and 78 electric ferries. Over 280,000 passengers have used ferry services in the past year, and 12 boats have been upgraded to meet safety standards. On road infrastructure and traffic management, the Commissioner said 49 junction improvement projects have been completed, including ongoing ones at Ikorodu, Iju, and Allen-Opebi-Toyin. He added that solar-powered Traffic Signal Lights, road markings covering 67.9km, new medians, laybys, and 3,941 parking slots have also been provided. Additionally, Osiyemi announced that the deployed Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have detected over 470,000 traffic violations, stating that the Vehicle Inspection Service issued over one million roadworthiness certificates, while LASDRI trained more than 32,000 drivers. He also mentioned that LASTMA has trained over 800 personnel, evacuated over 100 broken-down vehicles, and revived its school safety advocacy programme across 59 schools.