The Lagos State Government has launched the inter-state park accreditation and passenger manifest digitisation system, aimed to enhance safety for travellers as well as ensure a proper databank.
Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, performed the official unveiling of the initiative to the public during a media briefing in Ikeja, recently.
Osiyemi described the initiative as a major push towards modernising inter-state travel, as he said moving from analogue to digital is aimed at improving safety and efficiency for travelers entering and leaving the state.
According to the commissioner, the project is designed to streamline operations at interstate parks and ensure a secure, digital record of passenger information, enhancing both safety and convenience while creating employment opportunities for residents.
He noted that not less than 100 unregulated motor parks within the state would have to be upgraded to meet the required standards.
Osiyemi said that the initiative is another bold step made as a responsive government aimed at the continued promotion of safety and security of lives and property in the state.
“The goal of this initiative is straightforward. It is to make interstate travel safer, more efficient, and more reliable.
“Currently, our passenger manifest system operates on a paper-based approach, which can lead to inefficiencies and delays in critical situations.
He said “The second part of this project focuses on transforming our manifest system into a digital, centralised platform. Each passenger’s information will now be digitally recorded, ensuring that data is secure, accurate, and instantly accessible to the necessary authorities.
“For the established parks with existing booking systems, we will integrate their systems into our centralised database to ensure continuity and accuracy in data collection.
“In less formal parks, we will provide the necessary devices and agents to digitize the manifest on-site, ensuring that no traveller is left out of this safety enhancement.
“This streamlined system will empower first responders with immediate access to essential passenger information, allowing them to act quickly and accurately in emergencies.”.
He added that “Alongside this, we are also implementing an accreditation system for all interstate parks, setting a new standard of quality, safety, and service for all operators.
“The first component of this project is the accreditation of all interstate parks across Lagos State. Parks that meet our minimum safety and service standards will receive the Ministry of Transportation’s official certification.
“These certified parks will display prominently placed signage, assuring passengers that they are boarding from a park recognised and trusted by Lagos State.”
He noted that parks that do not meet the state standards, particularly the unregulated roadside “mushroom” parks, will require improvements.
“This is a collective move towards a safer, more reliable interstate travel experience for every Lagosian,” the commissioner stated.
Osiyemi, who noted that the project certainly will benefit the passengers, park operators, and the state, added: “For the passengers, they will experience increased safety, reliability, and convenience.
“Knowing that their travel information is securely recorded offers reassurance that, should any incidents occur, Lagos State’s emergency services are equipped with the tools and data they need to respond effectively.
“For accredited park operators, they gain a mark of quality that enhances their reputation and attracts more passengers.”
With the infrastructure upgrades provided, he added that operators have an opportunity to elevate service quality and play a direct role in creating a safer transportation system.
The technical partner on the project, Olamide Afolabi, said the project would improve the physical infrastructure of parks, including toilets and sitting areas, to meet the standard for accreditation.
Giwa and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Wale Musa, assured the people of the safety of their data and that it had been done in public interest.
State’s Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Usman Teslim, stressed that through the new initiative, the state government has moved from an analogue to digital system in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the safety of lives of residents and others. “Lagos is original in terms of transportation, while other states follow. The transport union is very aware of this move.”
