Lagos Govt Impounds Over 100 Private, Commercial Vehicles Over Illegal Parking

The Lagos State government has disclosed that over a hundred vehicles, both private and commercial buses, have been impounded over illegal alleged parking.

Naija New gathered that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday, in a statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said its operative started the impounding exercise on Wednesday, and in barely 24 hours, over 100 vehicles have been impounded.

Taofiq said the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, who led the enforcement operations, said the exercise was carried out following the expiration of a 7-day ‘Vacation Order’ issued on Monday, October 16, to motorists and commercial bus drivers to vacate all illegal parking spaces and garages on top bridges.

Recall that Giwa had recently, in a statement, given a 7-day ‘Vacation Order’ to vehicle owners, especially commercial bus operators, against parking on bridges across the state.

He explained that the exercise was to remove infractions impeding the free flow of traffic on bridges across the state.

The commissioner, in today’s statement, said over 100 private and commercial vehicles were impounded at Ejalonibu, Obalende, Apongbon Ebute-Ero, and Idumota (Carter) bridges on Lagos Island.

He stressed that the activities of the “recalcitrant” commercial bus drivers are contrary to the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

“The enforcement operations would be a continuous exercise until zero tolerance on activities of these commercial bus drivers operating illegal parking/garages on top bridges is achieved in line with the ‘Theme+’ agenda of the present administration.

“We would continue to ensure free flow of traffic movement by scaling up our enforcement and clampdown operations on these stubborn private/commercial bus drivers,” Giwa said.

He noted that all the motorists whose vehicles – private and commercial – were impounded would be immediately prosecuted at the Lagos State Mobile Court.