The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who led the combined enforcement team with security personnel disclosed that the exercise was carried out based on the directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa.
Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in continuation of general enforcement operations to unlock every traffic bottleneck across the state on Tuesday impounded 123 vehicles over illegal parking/garages around bridges on the Lagos Island.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who led the combined enforcement team with security personnel disclosed that the exercise was carried out based on the directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa.
Mr. Bakare-Oki disclosed further that the agency swung into action after several warnings were issued to both private and commercial bus drivers to stop indiscriminate parking/illegal garages around bridges were not complied with, a statement signed by Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department said.
He confirmed that the 123 vehicles were impounded around Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson Bridge, Apongbon Underbridge and Elegbata area of Lagos Island.
The general manager said, "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.”
Meanwhile, the statement added that 19 hoodlums were arrested during an enforcement operation over the illegal collection of parking dues from motorists.
It said an investigation revealed that the arrested 19 hoodlums impersonated themselves as approved government agents with fake identity cards to extort innocent motorists including illegal traders selling by roadsides.
The General Manager however disclosed that owners/drivers of the 123 contravened vehicles and 19 arrested hoodlums would be taken to the Lagos State Mobile Court for contravening the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.