The Lagos State Government has confirmed there will be no postponement in the enforcement of the ban on unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically “Danfos” and “Koropes,” along the Lekki-Epe corridor, set to start on October 1, 2024.
Addressing rumors of a suspension, State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, reaffirmed that the initiative aligns with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master Plan. They called for the cooperation of public transport bus operators, including Korope and Danfo drivers, to support the restructuring plans aimed at enhancing the commuting experience.
Giwa mentioned that a stakeholders meeting had been held with bus operators and union leaders to emphasize the importance of compliance before the enforcement date. He described the current bus operations on the corridor as chaotic and stressed the need for collaboration to regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative, using the Lekki-Epe corridor as a pilot project.
The Ministry of Transportation and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) have inspected the Lekki-Epe Corridor to identify and address traffic flow challenges. Planned solutions include restructuring existing unregulated bus operations, deploying high-capacity buses, relocating mini buses to inner routes, re-registering and recertifying all buses, introducing an e-ticketing system, and providing necessary transport infrastructure.
Giwa explained that the restructuring will be phased, urging transport operators to register with the Ministry of Transportation within the next two weeks to receive allotted routes. He warned that any operator who violates the new regulations will face fines and potential vehicle forfeiture.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, emphasized the need for union members to help identify unregistered operators, asserting that the Lekki-Epe Expressway will serve as a pilot for the standardization of Lagos’s transportation system.
Additionally, the Lagos State Government announced the implementation of an e-call up system for managing truck movements within the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone corridor, starting August 1, 2024. This system aims to prevent congestion and improve logistics efficiency by scheduling and coordinating truck movements. Giwa, responsible for enforcing the e-call up system, highlighted the collaborative effort involving State, LGAs/LCDAs, Security Agencies, and Stakeholders to ensure the system’s success.
The Lekki-Epe corridor, home to significant economic hubs like the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, and Lekki Deep Sea Port, will benefit from the improved traffic management, crucial for the state’s economy and sustainable development.
