Experts push for transport automation to tackle insecurity, boost safety

Technological experts have proposed fully automating motor vehicle administration in the country to enhance traffic management efficiency, improve transportation safety, and reduce the incidence of road insecurity.

This proposal was made at a high-tech stakeholders meeting held in Lagos.

Deputy Managing Director of Courteville Business Solutions Plc, Mr Wale Sonaike, stressed the need for automating the transport sector due to the increasing cases of fake documentation in driver’s license procurement, counterfeit vehicle documentation, record falsification, and extortion of perceived traffic offenders by enforcement agents.

Sonaike mentioned that his company has led the innovation of a mobile handheld device called AutoReg, the first of its kind in the country, for collecting transport data. This innovation has assisted state governments and federal agencies in automating every aspect of motor vehicle administration.

He explained that his company ventured into the public sector by reengineering the motor vehicle administration process with its flagship product, AutoRegTM.

He noted that the application was first implemented in Lagos State through the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA).

Sonaike highlighted that Lagos is ahead of other states in adopting the technology, having embraced automation processes three decades earlier, facilitating the integration of AutoReg as a pioneer state.

Regarding curbing robbery during traffic gridlock, Sonaike urged deploying hi-tech solutions similar to those used in developed countries. He stressed the importance of digitalising surveillance and implementing tracking technology as the way forward. He also emphasised the need for proper digital registration of all vehicles, including private and commercial ones, along with visibly displayed permits of driver’s details.

Fidel Ambrose, a tech expert from Imo State, confirmed that offenders are easily captured using the AutoReg application for issues such as expired documents, traffic violations, or non-compliance offences.

He also noted that the AutoReg platform has become a reliable tool for recovering stolen vehicles and eliminating double vehicle registration, ensuring confirmation of vehicle chassis along international standards before registrations.