By Adedoyin Falolu
The Lagos State Government has urged the citizenry to be wary of unlicensed e-hailing cab operators within the State as they pose security threats to the safety of lives and property.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said the State Government has observed with displeasure the non-compliance by some unlicensed operators who flagrantly violate the guidelines developed to regulate the sector.
Expressing the State Government’s discontentment over the refusal of the illegal operators and drivers to comply with the law guiding their operation in the wake of recent criminal activities in the State, the Commissioner warned the people behind the illegal operations to desist from posing a threat to the commuting public.
He said the State Government has held a series of meetings with all known operators on the need for full compliance with the regulations guiding e-hailing cab operations within the State, urging residents to ensure that they patronise only licensed operators as many of the unauthorised ones do not have a traceable operational base in case of emergencies or safety concerns.
Oladeinde highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of lives and property of residents across the metropolis, informing that only eight out of the several e-hailing cab operators in Lagos are registered and recognised by the State Government.
“Lagos Ride, Uber, Bolt, Let Me Run, Global Taxi, Zoom Run, Treepz (Plenty Waka) and Shuttlers are the only lawful operators recognised by the State Government and licensed to operate in Lagos. Residents patronising In-drivers, Rida and other unlicensed operators should be wary as they are yet to be registered and licensed by the Lagos State Government”, he said.
While assuring that the State Government will soon commence a clampdown on the illegal e-hailing cab operators, the Commissioner enjoined the citizenry to support the government by reporting illegal operators to the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja or call 08034545123.
He maintained that the State Government will not relent in its effort to make Lagos State safe for all.