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 General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this development in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos, expressing his disappointment at witnessing both private and commercial bus drivers create public nuisances by arbitrarily parking around bridges, thus leading to unnecessary traffic jams.
This initiative follows directives from 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. Bakare-Oki stated that this action was part of ongoing enforcement operations to relieve traffic congestion across the state.
Bakare-Oki announced that 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 emphasized that the agency would continue to ensure free traffic flow by scaling up its enforcement and clamping down on these stubborn private and commercial bus drivers.
During the impounding of vehicles parked illegally on Lagos Island, the agency also apprehended 19 hoodlums engaging in illegally collecting parking fees from motorists. Bakare-Oki disclosed 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. He noted that LASTMA would remain vigilant and take necessary steps to curb such illegal activities in the future.
