The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos, has confirmed that The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 123 vehicles for illegal parking around bridges on Lagos Island, specifically near Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson Bridge, Apongbon under Bridge, and Elegbata on Lagos Island.
The Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA signed the statement.
However, Bakare-Oki stated that this action was part of ongoing enforcement operations aimed at relieving traffic congestion across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, after numerous warnings to both private and commercial bus drivers to cease indiscriminate parking and the operation of illegal garages around bridges were ignored came up with the initiative.
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He expressed dismay at witnessing both private and commercial bus drivers create public nuisances by arbitrarily parking around bridges, thus leading to unnecessary traffic jams.
In his words, he said
“They also cause inconvenience to other motorists and road users using these bridges to link up with other parts of the state.
“We will continue to ensure free flow of traffic by scaling up our enforcement and clampdown on these stubborn private and commercial bus drivers.”
The General Manager of LASTMA also disclosed that in the process of impounding vehicles parked illegally on Lagos Island, the agency apprehended 19 hoodlums engaging in unauthorized collection of parking fees from motorists.
“Meanwhile, 19 notorious hoodlums were arrested during enforcement operation over illegal collection of parking dues from innocent motorists,” Babare-Oki noted.
Nevertheless, Bakare-Oki announced that both the owners/drivers of the 123 impounded vehicles and the 19 detained hoodlums would face legal proceedings in the Lagos State Mobile Court, charged with violations of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
He explained that investigations uncovered that the 19 apprehended hoodlums had been masquerading as legitimate government agents, armed with counterfeit identity cards, to swindle unsuspecting motorists and unauthorized street vendors.
