The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the ban on all unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically ‘Danfos’ and ‘Koropes’, along the Lekki-Epe corridor, effective October 1, 2024. This decision aligns with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master Plan, aimed at regulating and integrating the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative.
According to the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, the current state of bus operations on the corridor is chaotic, necessitating collaboration to successfully implement the restructuring plan. The plan will be executed in phases, with transport operators required to register with the Ministry of Transportation within two weeks to participate in the program.
Registered operators will be allotted routes by the Ministry to ensure strict compliance with the strategy. However, any operator found contravening the implemented regulations will face fines and risk forfeiture of their vehicles if they ignore the notice of fines. The State Government emphasized that it will not tolerate willful disregard of its existing Transport Sector Reform Law.
Addressing concerns raised by union members, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, clarified that the State Government relies on their cooperation to identify and report unregistered operators along the corridor. The Lekki-Epe Expressway will serve as a pilot test for standardizing the transportation system in Lagos.
The stakeholders’ meeting held earlier with bus operators and union leaders demonstrated the Government’s commitment to engaging with relevant parties to ensure a smooth transition.
The restructuring plan aims to bring order and organization to the transport sector, enhancing the overall commuting experience for residents and visitors alike.
