CITIZENS COMPASS —Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, arrested 19 hoodlums over illegal collection of parking dues from innocent motorists.
The suspects were said to have impersonated government agents with fake identity cards to extort innocent motorists including road side traders.
The Operatives also impounded 123 vehicles during an operation around Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson bridge, Apongbon under Bridge and Elegbata area of Lagos Island.
LASTMA General Manager, 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.
He disclosed further that the Agency swung into action after several warnings issued to both private and commercial bus drivers to stop indiscriminate parking/illegal garages around bridges was not complied with.
The General Manager confirmed that the 123 vehicles were impounded around Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson bridge, Apongbon under Bridge and Elegbata area of Lagos Island. “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,”
The General Manager however disclosed that owners/drivers of these 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.
Bakare said the exercise was in continuation of a general enforcement operation to unlock every traffic bottleneck across the State.
