Over 60 dispatch riders on Sunday in Lagos benefitted from the first dispatch riders training aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring safety on the roads.
The training was organised by two Lagos-based companies, Pushmobile Technology Limited (PTL) and Total Workplace Safety Management Systems (TWPS).
It was organised in collaboration with Lagos Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS) and Law Union Rock Insurance company.
The theme of the training is entitled, “The 21st Century Dispatch Rider”.
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, PTL, Mr Adebayo Jayesola, said that the training had become necessary in order to reduce accidents and untrained dispatch riders.
Jayesola said that trainees were trained on etiquette, customer relations, bike maintenance and defensive riding, among others.
“This training is not one-off and these group of riders are just about two per cent of the total numbers of riders in the industry.
“Moving forward, we will be training and retraining until we capture 90 per cent of the market to ensure that we reduce the number of untrained riders, accidents and ensure riders seen on the road are well equipped.
“We intend to do this periodically and in the long run, offer diploma in dispatch riding, “ he said.
Also, the Business Development and Media Relations Manager, LACVIS, Mrs Abike Awojobi, said the aim was to ensure all dispatch riders, their owners and everyone associated with the cycle embrace the message of safety and not take it for granted.
Awojobi said: “In one of the lessons the trainees had, they were taught road signs, safety precautions to follow.
“So, while doing that and are also ensuring that their bikes are maintained, we all can hope for a safer road for ourselves.
“Our hope is that they are going to assimilate this training and make use of it to ensure they are not the cause of accidents on the highways. “
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, TWPS, Mr Hakeem Dickson, urged the riders to put safety first and ensure they obey the rules on the roads.
“All Nigerians need to be trained on how to operate their vehicles.
“In this case, the dispatch riders; to make sure they put on their personal protective equipment; take care of themselves at all times.
“We want to achieve safety on our roads, “ Dickson said