The Lagos State Government has announced that the enforcement of the electronic call-up (e-call-up) system on the busy Lekki-Epe corridor will begin officially on June 16. The move follows an earlier postponement aimed at addressing stakeholder concerns.
This announcement was made by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, through a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Sunday. The update came during a crucial stakeholders’ meeting that focused on managing traffic congestion caused by the rising industrial activities around the Lekki Free Zone and its environs.
The e-call-up system is a digital platform designed to regulate the movement of articulated trucks and petroleum tankers entering the Lekki-Epe corridor. This system is expected to reduce traffic gridlock, similar to what Lagos experienced in the Apapa area, known for long hours of heavy congestion due to poor traffic management.
Dr. Hamzat urged all stakeholders involved to fully support the initiative, describing it as a critical measure to improve logistics and road transport infrastructure across Lagos State. He highlighted the importance of the e-call-up system in creating a smoother flow of traffic on one of the state’s busiest corridors.
Meanwhile, Mr. Osiyemi reiterated the government’s firm commitment to the enforcement of the e-call-up system. He explained that although previous meetings with stakeholders reached agreements on the system’s implementation, some challenges during initial enforcement led to a temporary halt for further consultations.
“The enforcement is not meant to generate revenue but to enhance traffic flow, safety, and better road infrastructure management,” the commissioner said. He also ordered the immediate removal of all articulated vehicles blocking traffic along the Lekki-Epe corridor, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The meeting included key players from different sectors related to the corridor’s operations. Representatives from the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) were present.
Also in attendance were members of the Major Energies Marketer Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), as well as officials from Lekki Worldwide Investment Company (LWIC), Lekki Free Zone (LFZ), and Lekki Sea Port.
Government agencies involved included the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC Retail), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The Lekki-Epe corridor is a vital route connecting the Lekki Free Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port to the rest of Lagos and Nigeria. Increasing industrial activities have led to a surge in tanker and truck movements, putting pressure on the road network and causing traffic jams.
The introduction of the e-call-up system is seen as a long-term solution to these problems. By scheduling and controlling when tankers and trucks can access the corridor, Lagos State hopes to reduce delays, improve road safety, and boost economic activities in the region.
With the June 16 enforcement deadline now set, stakeholders are expected to comply fully to ensure the success of the system and ease the daily traffic challenges faced by commuters and businesses alike.
