Indiscriminate Parking: Lagos Impounds Over 100 Vehicles

The Lagos State Government has impounded over 100 vehicles parked indiscriminately on bridges in the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, disclosed that the exercise was conducted after a 7-day vacation order was issued on Monday, October 16, to motorists to remove the affected vehicles.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to PUNCH Metro by the Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, on Thursday.

The statement explained that the aim of the enforcement was to completely eradicate gridlock on bridges.

Giwa added that the enforcement would be a continuous one.

He confirmed that the over 100 private and commercial vehicles were contravened at Ejalonibu, Obalende, Apongbon, Ebute-Ero and Idumota (Carter) bridges on Lagos Island.

Giwa further said owners of the impounded vehicles would be charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court.

The statement read in part: “The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Transportation, Sola Giwa, who led the enforcement operations, disclosed that the exercise was carried out following the expiration of a seven-day ‘Vacation Order’ issued (Monday, October 16, 2023) to motorists/commercial bus drivers to vacate all illegal parking/garages on top bridges.

“Giwa disclosed further that the enforcement operations were aimed to totally remove every infraction impeding the free flow of traffic on bridges.

“He confirmed that these over 100 private/commercial vehicles were contravened at Ejalonibu, Obalende, Apongbon Ebute-Ero, and Idumota (Cater) bridges on Lagos Island.

“According to Hon. Giwa “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.

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

“He however revealed that all these contravened vehicles (private/commercial) would be immediately charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution.”