As part of showing commitment to upholding safety and security within the ride-hailing ecosystem, stakeholders recently gathered for the first-ever driver-led safety summit.

The summit, organised by Bolt and held in Lagos, had stakeholders agreeing that the theme was apt and in tune with the current safety concerns in the ride-hailing space.

The event served as a collaborative platform for drivers, industry leaders, policymakers, law enforcement agencies and safety experts to exchange insights, strategies and best practices to elevate safety standards in Lagos.

The summit was headlined by the Lagos state commissioner of Transportation, represented by Engr A.O Adebayo, the Director of Public Transport Commuter Services, who delivered the keynote address and highlighted the importance of safety in fostering a thriving and progressive society.

Senior Public Policy Manager, West, North and Central Africa Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said safety is a collective responsibility and through collaboration with drivers and key regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Transport and FRSC, they are committed to fostering open dialogue, providing education, improving safety features and working together to enhance road safety in Lagos.

Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ojota command, Acc Spence Olakojo, said they are ready to collaborate with public and private agencies to enhance awareness and adherence to road safety standards among road users. Emphasising their commitment to promoting road safety, he said they are working to reduce accidents and safeguard lives by ensuring that commuters understand the road and the laws that govern them.

Director of Transport Operations, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, highlighted the significance of leveraging technology to advance safety standards within the swiftly evolving transportation sector.

He further mentioned a pivotal step in this direction with the ongoing Application Programming Interface integration with ride-hailing operators to ensure effective monitoring of ride-hailing operations and heightened security and efficiency within the transport sector. He acknowledged drivers’ feedback on infrastructure issues such as street light repairs, bad roads and traffic-prone areas due to tankers and assured the drivers that the ministry is committed to taking prompt action.

Managing Partner, Abdu-Salaam Abbas & Co, Faruq Abbas, emphasised the importance of data privacy for divers and riders, stating that concerns be directed through the app’s designated channels instead of progressing to social media and compromising privacy. He commends Bolt for educating and empowering its driver community on the importance of data protection.

Representatives of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria and the Ladies on Wheel Association of Nigeria, emphasised the core safety demands of drivers, highlighting the need for rider verification and significant improvements to road conditions, including the repair of road furniture. These key enhancements, according to them, would contribute significantly to fostering a safer environment for both drivers and riders.