Residents under the Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association have warned against the plot to undermine the reintroduction of an electronic call-up system for tankers and articulated trucks along the Lekki-Epe Expressway area of Lagos State.

LERSA in a statement jointly signed by its president, Sulyman Bello, and Chairman Communications Committee, Yomi Benson, stated that the initiative which began on Monday, would restore sanity to the corridor.

The statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Monday added that it would regulate the movement of articulated vehicles, avoiding a repeat of the Apapa gridlock.

LERSA said unregulated trucking activities had made life unbearable for residents of the Lekki Peninsula, with children spending up to seven hours in traffic, routine accidents, environmental pollution, and massive economic losses becoming part of daily life.

The statement partly read, “As representatives of residents and stakeholders of the Lekki Peninsula, it has to be emphasised that our children, wards, spouses and neighbours as well as other stakeholders are the ones at the terrible receiving end of the current havoc that unregulated operation of trucks and tankers wreaks. For the avoidance of doubt, we are strongly opposed to any manifest or clandestine attempts to undermine, sabotage or otherwise frustrate this noble initiative, which is designed to keep residents of the Lekki Peninsula safe.

“For the records, residents have had to contend with the increased trucking activities with a corresponding upsurge in road accidents, pollution of the environment, unwarranted damage to public infrastructures and incessant traffic gridlock running into several hours with attendant loss of revenue and productivity. Having children in school buses spend three hours in the morning and four hours on the homeward journey has become a reality that perpetually saddens parents and other residents of the Lekki Peninsula.”

The association commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner for Transport, Seun Osiyemi, for the initiative.

It also urged all stakeholders, especially those in the logistics and petroleum sectors, to support the rollout.

While reaffirming its support for the e-Call Up system, LERSA emphasised that implementation must proceed without delay, even as discussions on unresolved concerns continue.

“Without any shred of doubt, the implementation of the e-Call Up system is an emergency antidote, which cannot be subjected to any more delay. The association pledges its continued commitment to engaging all stakeholders to ensure a safe, efficient, and economically viable transportation ecosystem within the Lekki-Epe axis,” the statement concluded.(PUNCH)