By Brenda Izu

The Edo State Ministry of Transportation has revealed plans to commence the profiling of commercial drivers and vehicles across the state as part of measures aimed at strengthening security and improving the transport system.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Honourable Saturday Idehen, speaking on Tuesday at the ministry in Benin City, commended commercial drivers for the level of compliance recorded so far with the state’s colour code policy.

According to him, the government deliberately adopted a less forceful approach to enforcement in order to encourage cooperation from transport operators.

“Well, just to thank them for complying with the policies of the state, and we tend not to be very forceful in our enforcement as far as the people are complying fully, so we need to appreciate them,” he said.

The commissioner, however, urged transport operators yet to comply to do so completely, noting that the state government had approved the next phase of the initiative involving the profiling of drivers and introduction of barcode-enabled identification systems for commercial vehicles.

He explained that the profiling system would replace the existing sticker method with specially designed taxi, bus and tricycle lights carrying barcode numbers that can easily be identified.

“This time we are going to use taxi lights, Keke lights and bus lights. From there, you will be able to know the code number of a particular driver. When you open the app we are going to create and download to your phone, in case of any emergency, you will see the details of the driver there,” Idehen stated.

Idehen  added that residents would also be able to identify commercial vehicles operating within their areas, stressing that the initiative would improve public confidence in the transport system.

“As you are sitting now, you can actually know the numbers of vehicles in your street or the Keke operating there. It is a kind of optic we are going to create for the state so we can monitor the activities of drivers and instill confidence in people who use commercial vehicles,” he added.

The commissioner also expressed concern over the failure of some operators, including the campus shuttle service, civil organisations and other recognised shuttles, to comply with the colour code policy.

“I think they are still pulling back, and I don’t know the reasons why. They operate in the state, and as far as they are using the state roads and transporting people within the state, we will not sit down and watch them deface the transport system,” he said.

Idehen further revealed that the ministry would formally communicate with the management of the affected organisations to ensure compliance.

Speaking on the security benefits of the profiling initiative, the commissioner noted that although the system may not completely eliminate crime, it would significantly reduce criminal activities linked to commercial transportation.

“We will not profile somebody who has criminal intentions because we must have the details of the drivers, including the owner of the vehicle. Once you see a serial number, you can go to the app and see the details of the person. I think that will drastically reduce insecurity,” he said.