LASTMA impounds 123 vechicles over illegal parking

…..arrests 19 hoodlums for illegal collection of parking dues

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), on tuesday impounded 123 vechicles over illegal parking around bridges across Lagos Island.

The enforcement was led by the General Manager of the agency, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.

Bakare-Oki disclosed that the exercise was carried out based on the directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa.

He explained that the agency swung into action after several warning issued to both private and commercial bus drivers to stop indiscriminate parking/illegal garages around bridges was not complied with.

The LASTMA GM confirmed that the 123 vehicles were impounded around Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson bridge, Apongbon Under Bridge and Elegbata area of Lagos Island.

According to him, It was nauseating seeing these private and commercial bus drivers constituting public nuisance by parking at free will around bridges thereby causing avoidable gridlock and 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”, said Bakare-Oki.

Meanwhile, 19 notorious hoodlums were arrested during enforcement operation over illegal collection of parking dues from innocent motorists.

LASTMA revealed that the arrested 19 notorious hoodlums impersonated themselves as approved government agents with fake identity cards to extorts innocent motorists including illegal traders who sells by road sides.

The General Manager however disclosed that owners / drivers of the 123 contravened vehicles including 19 arrested hoodlums would be prosecuted at the Lagos State Mobile Court for contravening the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.