- seeks stakeholders’ cooperation in the implementation of trucking system
By Demilade Adeniyi
The E-call up system that would aid effective trucking management along the Lekki-Epe corridor would begin in June, the Lagos State Government said on Thursday.
The Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde discussed this at a stakeholders meeting which held at the premises of the Lekki Worldwide Investment Company in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he also sought the cooperation of all truckers when the system kicks off to bring sanity to traffic control in the Lekki-Epe axis.
Sunrise News recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved the E-call up system for effective traffic management along the Lekki-Epe corridor to prevent a repeat of traffic gridlocks that presently obtains on the Apapa Port access roads.
Oladeinde explained that with the imminent take-off of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the upcoming Dangote Refineries among other industries, government decided to meet with the stakeholders who would be moving the wet and dry cargoes along the axis to cooperate with it for the seamless implementation of the E-call up process.
Oladeinde reiterated the need to understand the dynamics of each business operator for effective integration into the Call-up procedure, adding that the pilot operation is proposed to start in June for a period of two weeks.
The Commissioner further stated that the essence of the pilot scheme is to test the robustness of the call up application, and to ensure it is free from all encumbrances, thereafter, live operations will commence by mid-June.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa opined that Lagos State has the highest vehicular density while noting the increase in establishment of new industries in the Lekki-Epe corridor, hence, the need for the introduction of the electronic process to manage traffic within the axis.
Giwa added that the State Government is mulling the implementation of barge operations for Lekki Deep Seaport to reduce movement of cargoes via the road, soliciting support of all Stakeholders’ for seamless execution of the process.
Also, Engr. Abiola Olowu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry stated that the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu is keen on creating conducive environment across the State for businesses to thrive with special focus on the Lekki-Epe corridor due to industries springing up in the axis.
He also mentioned that in order to fast track the implementation of the E call up system, the cooperation of all Stakeholders’ is needed.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, stated that the E-call up application could not have come at a better time, saying Lekki- Epe axis is fast becoming a commercial area and it behooves on the Government to plan ahead to forestall traffic menace in the region.
He applauded the State Government for being proactive through strategic planning on traffic management of the corridor, not neglecting the safety and security of citizens, while enhancing the business atmosphere.
The Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Mr. Abdullahi Sesan expressed delight at the approval of the E-call up system by the Governor, stressing that truck count moving into the corridor is enormous hence the need to put in place a proper system to manage the traffic in and out of the corridor.
He admonished the stakeholders to improve on their community relations, citing a situation where truck accidents occurred and truck owners failed to visit families of victims.
Messrs Call Up Technology Services made a presentation of how the E-call up system will be implemented and the firm was directed to get necessary input from respective stakeholders for successful integration and implementation of the system.
Stakeholders present at the meeting include; Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Dangote Refineries, Lekki Free Zone, Lekki Worldwide Investment Company, Lekki Deep Sea Port, Top government functionaries from Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe Local Governments, Pinnacle Oil and Gas amongst others.