By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
In a major push towards modernizing interstate travel, Lagos State has announced a new initiative aimed at improving safety and efficiency for travellers.
Addressing the media on Friday, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, introduced the Lagos State Interstate Park Accreditation and Passenger Manifest Digitization project.
A key feature of the project he said, is the shift from paper-based to digital passenger manifests across all interstate parks in the state .
This centralized digital platform, he further disclosed, will enable real-time access to passenger information, ensuring that emergency responders can act quickly and effectively in case of any incidents. Larger parks with existing booking systems will integrate directly into this new system, while smaller parks will receive devices and assistance to capture digital data on-site.
Osiyemi added that the project is designed to streamline operations at all interstate parks and ensure a secure, digital record of passenger information, enhancing both safety and convenience of passengers.
“Under this initiative, Lagos will implement a mandatory accreditation process for all interstate parks, certifying those that meet set standards for safety and service quality. Certified parks will display official signage, allowing passengers to identify accredited, trustworthy facilities. Unregulated “mushroom” parks, typically found on roadsides, will be encouraged to make improvements to align with the new standards.
Mr. Osiyemi highlighted the project’s benefits to include enhanced security for passengers, a credibility boost for park operators, and improved planning data for the state.
He emphasized the government’s dedication to building a transportation system that every citizen can rely on, calling on the media to spread awareness of these advancements.
Osiyemi added that the initiative which is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, is handled by a consultant with a robust experience in similar area and part of effort to innovate urban governance.
“This project is set to transform the landscape of interstate travel, set new standards in safety and efficiency for Lagosians and visitors alike,” he said.
Also speaking the Managing Director of Touch and Pay Technologies Ltd., Mr Olamide Afolabi, said under the initiative every park will have unique identity and a park agent would be on ground to collect the data entered on a sheet issued by the parks and entered into the database on-line-real-time.
Afolabi, said the project would be implemented in two phases with the first phase being accreditation of all interstate parks to confirm with global practices, adding that simple baselines such as presence of waiting area, convenience areas and a food court.
The second component is to develop a digitised manifest that will be captured onsite ensuring that no one is left behind in the issues of providing a safe platform, generate employment and improve urban planning.
The State Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Usman O. Teslim lauded the state government for taking the huge step that would move land transport from analogue to digital mode in line with global practices that is safe and more secured.
“This move has been the culmination of a tripartite move between the Ministry of Transportation, the transport unions and the consultant and we at NURTW is sure that at the end of the day, the people would be happy and commend the government for yet another good initiative in the land transport sector,” Teslim said.