Amid growing security concerns across the country, ride -hailing company, Bolt, has urged drivers and passengers to prioritise safety, stressing that trust and accountability are essential to building a secure mobility ecosystem.

The Public Policy Manager for West Africa at Bolt,Ewoma Jerry-Ogeme, stated this yesterday in Port Harcourt at the company’s passenger safety meet-and-greet, where she highlighted the need for greater awareness of safety measures and responsible conduct by users of the platform.

Jerry-Ogeme said safety remained central to Bolt’s operations, noting that the company continued to invest in measures to ensure passengers reached their destinations safely.

“Safety is something that is very dear to our hearts. Many people view safety on Bolt as just a feature, but it is not merely a nice-to-have. We consider it crucial and always prioritise it,” she said.

She explained that seemingly minor disagreements between drivers and passengers could escalate into serious security incidents, hence the need to making awareness and responsible interaction essential to preventing avoidable conflicts.

According to her, the safety engagement was designed to educate passengers and drivers on appropriate conduct during rides, precautionary measures and available channels for reporting concerns.

She also highlighted the emergency response features available on the platform, including the SOS and panic buttons, which enable users to contact Bolt’s safety team when they feel threatened.

Jerry-Ogeme said the company monitored trips on its platform and could use relevant trip information to respond to reported incidents.

She, however, clarified that Bolt was not a law enforcement agency and did not investigate criminal allegations, but provided relevant information to security agencies to support investigations and the resolution of reported cases.

Also speaking, the Director of Enforcement and Compliance at the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), Rosemary Orubo, urged drivers, passengers and other stakeholders to act responsibly and comply with applicable laws.

Orubo said responsible conduct was essential to preventing avoidable disputes and protecting individuals from consequences that could undermine their personal and professional prospects.

She also stressed the importance of accurate records and transparent transactions, noting that digital platforms could promote accountability by providing electronic records of business activities.

“For drivers and other operators, tax compliance should not be viewed simply as a burden. It is part of participating responsibly in the formal economy and contributing to public services and infrastructure,” she said.

Orubo added that citizens and businesses had a collective responsibility to support economic development through compliance with their tax obligations.

She, however, cautioned that transparency must be balanced with data privacy, stressing that the availability of digital information did not justify its indiscriminate use or disclosure.

According to her, personal and transaction information must be collected and used responsibly, protected against unauthorised access, and shared only through appropriate channels and for legitimate purposes.

She outlined five principles for building a safer and more accountable mobility ecosystem: responsible data collection, appropriate use of personal information, digital protection, prompt reporting of safety and security concerns, and compliance with relevant regulations and tax obligations.

Orubo said a trusted mobility system required cooperation among ride-hailing companies, drivers, passengers, government agencies and regulators, adding that safety and accountability must become shared responsibilities rather than obligations imposed on one stakeholder alone.