BY Bilesanmi Abayomi
E-hailing companies operating in Lagos State have called on the state government to extend the newly introduced mandatory roadworthiness inspection for e-hailing drivers to commercial bus operators, popularly known as danfo drivers.
The companies argued that most commercial buses on Lagos roads are not roadworthy and pose significant risks to other road users.
Their appeal follows the government’s recent directive making it compulsory for all e-hailing drivers to present their vehicles at the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) centres for a scheduled roadworthiness inspection.
While acknowledging the initiative as a positive step by the Ministry of Transportation, the companies maintained that restricting the exercise to e-hailing operators is unfair and discriminatory.
“This is different from the normal Vehicle Roadworthiness Test required before obtaining the original certificate. This particular exercise is strictly for e-hailing drivers, and we are already notifying those registered on our platforms,” the companies stated.
They, however, urged the government not to discourage or frustrate e-hailing operators, stressing that many drivers on the platforms are graduates from diverse professions who maintain their vehicles in better condition compared to commercial bus drivers.
“At least 90 percent of e-hailing drivers are well behaved and keep their vehicles in order, unlike many of the danfo buses plying our roads. If safety is the priority, then the same standard should be applied across board,” they said.
