The Lagos State Government has stated that there is no going back on the planned enforcement of banning operations of all unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically ‘Danfos’ and ‘Koropes’ along Lekki-Epe corridor, scheduled to commence on October 1, 2024.
Speaking with newsmen, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, maintained that the move was in line with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master.
He described the current state of bus operations on the corridor as chaotic hence, the need for collaboration to successfully regulate and integrate the informal transport sector into the State’s Bus Reform Initiative using Lekki/Epe corridor as a pilot test.
Giwa revealed that a stakeholders meeting had been held earlier with bus operators and union leaders in the state, on the need for compliance before the due period.
Giwa further stated that the restructuring plan would be implemented in phases, urging transport operators who intend to key into the restructuring program to come to the Ministry of Transportation to register within the next two weeks.
He added that the registered operators will be allotted routes by the Ministry to ensure strict compliance with the strategy.
Giwa however warned that any operator who contravenes the implemented regulations will be fined and will risk forfeiture of their vehicles if they ignored the notice of the fines.
He declared that the Lagos State Government would not accommodate willful disregard of its existing Transport Sector Reform Law.
Meanwhile, addressing the concerns raised by members of the unions, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, had explained that the State Government is counting on them to fish out unregistered operators along the corridor, affirming that Lekki –Epe Expressway would be a pilot test for the Standardization of the transportation system in Lagos.
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