The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has taken action against illegal parking on Lagos Island, impounding 123 vehicles near several bridges, including Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson Bridge, Apongbon under Bridge, and Elegbata on Lagos Island.
Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager of LASTMA, confirmed the impoundment in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos, signed by Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA.
Bakare-Oki highlighted that this enforcement operation aims to ease traffic congestion across the state, following directives from Mr. Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation.
Despite warnings, both private and commercial bus drivers persisted in indiscriminate parking and operating illegal garages around bridges.
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He expressed concern over the public nuisance caused by these drivers, leading to unnecessary traffic disruptions and inconvenience to other motorists.
“We will continue to ensure free flow of traffic by stepping up our enforcement efforts and cracking down on these defiant private and commercial bus drivers,” he emphasized.Additionally, during the impoundment process, LASTMA apprehended 19 hoodlums engaged in unauthorized collection of parking fees from motorists.
“Meanwhile, 19 notorious hoodlums were arrested during the enforcement operation for illegally collecting parking dues from unsuspecting motorists,” Bakare-Oki stated.Investigations revealed that these hoodlums posed as legitimate government agents, using counterfeit identity cards to deceive motorists and unauthorized street vendors.
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 for violating the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
