LEKKI FREE TRADE ZONE IS CRUCIAL TO DEVELOPMENT IN LAGOS STATE.
Special Adviser on transportation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Hon. Sola Giwa, speaking at the joint Traffic Management Stakeholders Meeting held on Tuesday 5th November, 2024 inside the New Eleko Market between Lekki Local Council Development Area and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government in Partnership with Lagos State Government, Ministry of Transportation. He noted that inflow of trailers, trucks and other vehicles both within the lekki- Epe axis, ibeju-Lekki route and neighbouring states is a result of the fast increasing business hubs emerging at a fast rate which has led to build up of traffic gridlock within the axis. Speaking further at event, he noted that the lekki axis comprises of five Free Trade zones, which are international companies, hence the need to introduce Electronic Call-up System, (E Call-up), to monitor and maintain orderliness within the operators and movement of trailers and trucks owners, operating along the axis. He went on to state that, trailers and trucks without the E Call-up Tag will be deny access to its destination, in addition, such trailers or trucks will be sanction in line with the stipulated fees. Still addressing the gathering, Honourable Sola Giwa, implored residents and stakeholders to give maximum cooperation to the government, to ensure the sucess of the E Call-up initiative. Speaking further, he noted that garage operation at Eleko junction must give way due to the danger the location posed to commercial activities carried out within the location. He stressed that Lagoon Highway has been signed into Operation by Lagos State Government, likewise the Blue Rail Line, to serve as alternative means of transportation aside the conventional road means of transportation. Lastly, he stressed that the E call up initiative is an application and system programmed to sequence trailers and trucks to ibeju-lekki axis and route, noting that trailers operators without the E call-Up tag will be deny access to their assigned destinations. Managing Director of the E call-up company, Mr. Timi Koleolu while addressing gathering at the event noted that the company only operationalized Lagos State Transport Management Policy via the introduction of E Call-up system to monitor and check mate the excess of trucks and trailers operators within the axis. Hon. Engr. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, Mayor, ibeju-lekki Local Government, while speaking at the gathering, stressed the need for Stakeholders embrace the E call-up initiative, introduced by Lagos State Government , hence the need for compliance to the new method of operation by operators of trucks and trailers respectively. The Executive Chairman of Lekki Local Council Development Area, Hon. (Engr.) Bamidele Kasali via its welcome address implored stakeholders at the meeting to see the initiative as means to advance the operation of traffic management within the Lekki-Epe axis and ibeju-Lekki enroute. Present at the Meeting are, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, Dignitaries from Lagos State Government, Managing Director of E call-Up company, Mr. Timi Kole olu, Hon. (Engr.) Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, Ibeju-lekki Local Government Mayor, Vice Chairman, Hon. Isiaka yusuf olatunji, Lekki Local Council Development Area Mayor, Hon. Engr. Bamidele Kasali, Royal Fathers, Baales, CDA/CDC members, NURTW Chaiman, Apex Leaders, ACP Yemisi Ojo, Commander Abayomi Adewale, unit commander FRSC ibeju-Lekki, iya oja and Baba oja, Prince Hassan Adekoya SSA to Governor on Transport and logistics, Engr. Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, director Transport Operation, Ministry of Transportation., Ibeju lekki Council Manager, Mr Otinwa Abiodun Oladipupo, Council Treasurer, Head, Admin and Human Resources, Commander Davidson Arum deputy 1 pinnacle Depot NUPENG, Comrade Kilanko Daniel Deputy 2, Pinnacle Depot NUPENG amongst several others.