LASG Remains Defiant, Says Ban On Danfos, Korope, Okada On Lekki-Epe Expressway Stays

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has stated that it will not rescind its decision on the ban placed on Commercial Buses popularly known as Danfo, Mini Bus also known as Korope and Motorcycles also known as Okada in local parlance plying the Lekki-Epe road.

The planned enforcement banning operations of all unregulated commercial bus operations, specifically “Danfos” and “Koropes” along Lekki-Epe corridor, is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2024.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, maintained that the move is in line with the Lagos State Strategic Transportation Master.

The duo, therefore, called for the collaboration of Public Transport Bus Operators, such as Korope/Danfo bus drivers, as government releases the restructuring plans to improve commuting experience.

Giwa added 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 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.

He further explained that the Lekki Epe Corridor had been inspected by the Ministry of Transportation and Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA to identify limitations of seamless traffic flow along the Expressway and adjourning roads and had mapped out systematic framework to address possible challenges.

Some of the planned solutions, according to Giwa include the restructuring of the existing unregulated Public Transport Bus Operations on the Lekki Epe Corridor, deployment of High Capacity Buses on the corridor as stated in the Lagos Transport Policy and the Bus Route Network, re-allocation and relocation of Korope/Mini buses to inner route, re-registration and recertification of all buses.

Others are: The Introduction of E-ticketing System, Provision of transport infrastructure (Layby, terminal, among others), regulation and standardization of bus operations, improved transportation services, that is; Safety and passenger comfort and promote the security of lives and properties along the Lekki-Epe corridor.

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 to the strategy.

Giwa also warned that any operator who contravenes the regulations that will be implemented will be fined and will forfeit their vehicles in the event that they ignore the notice of their fines.

He declared that the State Government would not accommodate willful disregard of its existing Transport Sector Reform Law.

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.