- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State Government has broken silence over the blockade of the Lekki-Epe Expressway by protesting mini-bus operators as it condemned the obstruction of traffic by the demonstrators.
NPO Reported that the operators had on Tuesday barricaded the expressway along Ajah axis in protest over the alleged plan by the state government to ban the commercial mini-bus operation popularly known as Korope.
The protesters would again converge on Wednesday to block the road, prompting the intervention of the Lagos State Police Command.
The state’s Police Commissioner, Jimoh Olohundare, led scores of personnel to the area dispersing the protesters with scores of arrests recorded.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, expressed the government’s displeasure with the protest.
Giwa said the disruption breached agreements reached between government and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) after extensive engagements.
He said discussions on implementing the Bus Reform Initiative along the Lekki–Epe corridor began in 2024.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting on June 27, 2024, a communiqué was endorsed by myself, the Permanent Secretary, and the state chairmen of NURTW and RTEAN,” he said.
He said resolutions included restructuring bus operations and deploying high-capacity buses under the Lagos Transport Policy and Bus Route Network.
“Other measures were reassigning Korope to inner routes, introducing e-ticketing, standardising operations and enhancing safety and security along the corridor,” he added.
Giwa said stakeholders reaffirmed commitment to collaborative implementation to improve transport services across the state.
He said a subsequent meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, agreed the new bus scheme would begin on Dec. 8, 2025.
The first phase, extending eventually to Epe, will cover Ajah–CMS/Obalende, Ajah–Oshodi, Ajah–Berger and Ajah–Iyana Ipaja routes.
“At the meeting I chaired, it was clarified that one operator will run express services, while others provide stopping services,” he said.
Giwa said government was formalising transit operations to improve commuter comfort, safety, security and fare stability.
“Participating buses will adopt the Lagos blue-and-white colour scheme and display QR-coded PTCS and Touch and Pay stickers.
“Drivers will wear official Ministry badges to guarantee accountability and public confidence,” he said.
He urged operators to comply with agreed reforms, reaffirming government’s commitment to a safe, orderly and efficient transport system.