The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has convened a strategic stakeholders’ engagement with courier and dispatch riders as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety, regulatory compliance, and operational discipline across the state.
The forum, held at the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi under the theme Ride Smart, Stay Alive, brought together representatives from courier companies, dispatch operators, security agencies, transport unions, and various road safety stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Engr. Olasukanmi Ojowuro explained that the engagement became necessary following an increase in traffic infractions, reckless riding, and fatal accidents involving dispatch riders and commercial motorcyclists.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, Ojowuro urged operators to embrace responsible riding habits and comply strictly with traffic regulations.
He emphasized that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to protecting lives and property through sustainable transportation policies and consistent stakeholder engagement.
According to Ojowuro, road safety regulations should not be viewed as punitive measures but as vital safeguards designed to preserve lives and ensure the smooth movement of vehicles.
Supporting this sentiment, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described dispatch riders as critical players in the movement of goods and services within the state’s expanding commercial environment.
Bakare-Oki disclosed that operational reports from 2025 showed that over 862 crash victims were rescued through emergency interventions, while more than 16,641 vehicles were impounded for various offences, including reckless driving, obstruction, overloading, and mechanical defects.
He further revealed that numerous accidents involving dispatch riders had been recorded along major routes such as Eko Bridge, the Lekki-Epe Expressway, the Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, and the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
The General Manager identified the primary causes of these crashes as reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue from prolonged working hours, poor motorcycle maintenance, and traffic light violations.
He also noted a significant lack of compliance with safety regulations, such as the failure to use crash helmets and reflective jackets. He remarked that every avoidable crash serves as a painful reminder that safety must remain the highest collective priority.
The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, also addressed the gathering, urging courier companies to institutionalize regular safety training, proper documentation, and effective monitoring systems to promote professionalism.
He further advised dispatch riders to remain security conscious while performing their duties across the state.
Participants at the engagement commended LASTMA for the initiative, describing it as a timely effort to improve road safety and strengthen operational standards.
The event included sensitization lectures and interactive discussions on practical measures to enhance efficiency within the sector. Other agencies represented at the forum included the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, and the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute.