The Lagos State Government has confirmed the enforcement of its ban on unregulated commercial bus operations, including “Danfo” and “Korope” buses, along the Lekki-Epe corridor, starting October 1, 2024. This decision dispels rumors that the ban might be postponed.
The State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master Plan. They called on public transport operators, particularly Danfo and Korope drivers, to cooperate with the government’s restructuring plans aimed at enhancing the commuting experience.
Giwa noted that stakeholders, including bus operators and union leaders, had been briefed on the need for compliance ahead of the enforcement date. He described the current bus operations on the Lekki-Epe corridor as chaotic and highlighted the importance of integrating the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative, starting with this corridor as a pilot project.
The Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) have inspected the Lekki-Epe Corridor to identify and address obstacles to seamless traffic flow. Planned measures include restructuring the existing unregulated public transport bus operations, deploying high-capacity buses, reallocating mini-buses to inner routes, and implementing an e-ticketing system.
Other initiatives include providing transport infrastructure such as laybys and terminals, standardizing bus operations, and improving transportation services to enhance safety and passenger comfort. Giwa urged transport operators to register with the Ministry of Transportation within the next two weeks to participate in the restructuring program. Registered operators will be assigned routes to ensure compliance.
He warned that operators who violate the new regulations will face fines and potential vehicle forfeiture. Addressing union concerns, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, emphasized the government’s reliance on union cooperation to identify unregistered operators. He stated that the Lekki-Epe Expressway would serve as a pilot for standardizing Lagos’s transportation system.
Dr. Amure, Head of Bus Services at LAMATA, explained that the rapid development of the Lekki-Epe axis was a key reason for selecting this corridor for the Bus Reform Initiative, which began with the Bus Rapid Transit system in other parts of the State.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting, representatives from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) expressed their support for the restructuring initiative by signing a communique.
Introduction of E-Call Up System for Trucks
To address severe congestion and enhance logistics operations within the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone, the Lagos State Government will implement an e-call up system for managing truck movements starting August 1, 2024. Commissioner Osiyemi announced this initiative, highlighting its aim to provide a sustainable, technology-driven solution for truck movements in the corridor.
The e-call up system will synchronize truck movements to and from the Lekki Deep Seaport and other industries, from Eleko Junction to the Lekki Free Trade Zone. This system is part of broader state and federal efforts to expand road networks and develop inter-modal transport systems, ensuring smoother traffic flow in one of Lagos’s critical economic zones.
Special Adviser Giwa, responsible for enforcing the e-call up system, noted that an interim arrangement is in place to decongest roads by removing illegal tankers through a joint task force. He urged truck operators and logistics companies to comply with the new system to avoid chaotic traffic conditions caused by indiscriminate parking and movement of trucks.
The Lekki-Epe corridor, hosting key economic facilities such as the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, and Lekki Deep Sea Port, is vital for Lagos’s economy. Efficient goods and services movement in this area is essential, making the e-call up system a crucial component for sustainable development.
