The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically targeting “Danfos” and “Koropes,” along the Lekki-Epe corridor, starting from October 1, 2024.
This decision comes amidst speculations of a possible suspension of the ban.
State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, confirmed the enforcement plan, highlighting its alignment with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master Plan.
They urged public transport operators, including Korope and Danfo drivers, to cooperate with the government’s restructuring plans aimed at enhancing the commuting experience.
Giwa emphasized the necessity of this move, citing the current chaotic state of bus operations along the corridor.
He called for collaboration to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the state’s Bus Reform Initiative, with the Lekki-Epe corridor serving as a pilot test.
“The current bus operations on the Lekki-Epe corridor are chaotic. We need collaboration to regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the state’s Bus Reform Initiative,” Giwa stated.
The restructuring plan, according to Giwa, involves several key measures, including the deployment of high-capacity buses, re-allocation and relocation of Korope/mini buses to inner routes, re-registration and recertification of all buses, introduction of an e-ticketing system, provision of transport infrastructure such as lay-bys and terminals, and the regulation and standardization of bus operations to ensure safety and passenger comfort.
“We are implementing a systematic framework to address the challenges identified during inspections of the Lekki-Epe corridor,” Giwa added. “The restructuring plan will be implemented in phases, and transport operators who wish to join must register with the Ministry of Transportation within the next two weeks.”
Giwa also warned that any operator who contravenes the new regulations will face fines and vehicle forfeiture. “The State Government will not tolerate willful disregard of its Transport Sector Reform Law,” he declared.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, assured that the government relies on union leaders to help identify unregistered operators, affirming that the Lekki-Epe Expressway would be a test case for the standardization of Lagos’ transportation system.
Dr. Amure, Head of Bus Services at LAMATA, highlighted the rapid development of the Lekki-Epe axis as a reason for selecting the corridor for the Bus Reform Initiative, which began with the Bus Rapid Transit system in various parts of Lagos.
At a stakeholders meeting, key transport union leaders, including the Acting Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Mustapha (Sego), and the Deputy Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Taofeek Ajayi, signed a communique supporting the restructuring initiative.
E-call Up System for Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone
In a significant move to avert congestion and improve logistics within the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone corridor, the Lagos State Government has announced the implementation of an e-call up system for managing truck movements from August 1, 2024.
Commissioner Osiyemi described the system as a “sustainable, effective, and technology-driven solution” for regulating truck traffic in the area.
The e-call up system, an advanced digital platform, will schedule and coordinate truck movements to prevent chaotic traffic situations caused by indiscriminate parking and movement.
This initiative is crucial for the efficient operation of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, all key economic hubs in Lagos.
“The e-call up system will regulate truck movements and prevent traffic chaos, ensuring the efficient flow of goods and services in one of Lagos’ most critical economic zones,” Osiyemi explained.
Special Adviser Giwa added that an interim arrangement is in place to decongest roads through the evacuation of illegal tankers by a joint task force. He urged truck operators and logistics companies to comply with the new system to ensure its success.
“The e-call up system is essential for sustainable development in the Lekki-Epe corridor, a key economic hub in Lagos,” Giwa noted.
