By Demi Adeniyi
The Lagos State Government has said mini buses (known as Korope), will be banned on the Lekki-Ajah corridor, once it commences the bus reform initiative in the next few months.
With the reform, a new bus plan, would see the injection of modern, comfortable, safe and secured buses which would be painted in the LAMATA colour, and managed by fleet operators concessioned by the government, on the Lekki-Ajah route.
Handing down this directive on his office, after a stakeholders meeting in his office yesterday, the Special Adviser to the governor on Transportation Sola Giwa said efforts are presently ongoing to integrate the mini and midi buses, popularly known as Korope and Danfo buses, operating along the Lekki-Ajah axis into the state’s Bus Reform Initiative.
He said already, the government is discussing with 10 bus operators, including transport unions who have submitted their letters of intent to operate along the corridor, our of which six have been shortlisted to commence operation once the government gave the nod.
Lekki-Ajah corridor is Lagos’ new economic corridor that presently houses the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, the Dangote Fertiliser plant, Lekki Free Zone, the Blue Sea Project, Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos Airport projects among other turnkey blue chip companies.
The bus reform along the corridor intends to complement the Lagos Green Line Train Service, which the Federal Government have signed a contract with the China Rail to construct in partnership with the Logos State Government.
Giwa explained that the bus reform project which is in its planning phase shall commence once all arrangements are finalized.
Reviewing the progress made so far, Giwa revealed that the documentation process for all operators interested in the scheme is ongoing.
He further stated that all participating buses will undergo physical verification by the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) to ensure their roadworthiness and proper documentation, adding that once verified, the buses will be branded in the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) colours and will be equipped with validators.
Giwa noted that a framework is being developed to integrate union dues deductions into the e- ticketing system, while also addressing the activities of hoodlums who extort transporters along the axis, stressing that the initiative will be test-run for three months before full enforcement.
He emphasized that once the programme commences, mini buses (Korope) will no longer be allowed to operate along the Lekki-Ajah expressway but will be deployed to inner routes and communities.
Present at the meeting include; the Permanent Secretary of MVAA Mr. Rasheed Muri-Okunola, General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Representatives from LAMATA, LASDRI, VIS, and Directors from MOT amongst others.
