In a bid to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving dispatch riders, the Lagos State Government has directed all courier and delivery service providers operating within the state to ensure the compulsory use of reflective jackets and visibility tapes during evening and nighttime hours.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education and Innovation, Mr. Oluwatobi Idowu, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, stated that all riders operating between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. must wear reflective jackets. Additionally, all delivery motorcycles and bicycles must be fitted with reflective tapes or markers to ensure clear visibility on the road.
The statement also urged delivery companies to sensitise their riders and ensure strict compliance to avoid sanctions from designated enforcement agencies, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS).
In compliance with the directive, Glovo Nigeria, one of the leading delivery service providers in Lagos, has pledged to provide 3,000 reflective vests free of charge to its couriers within the next month.
In a letter signed by its General Manager, Mr. Lamide Akinola, the company commended the Lagos State Government for the initiative aimed at safeguarding both riders and other road users. Akinola added that the company is already in the process of distributing the vests while encouraging other delivery service providers in the state to follow suit.
The Ministry of Transportation welcomed the gesture and expressed readiness to sustain collaboration with courier and delivery service providers as part of ongoing efforts to build a safer and more responsible delivery system across Lagos State.
